SO LOUD! Bring your east plugs! And be prepared to hit on older single women. Target rich environment? Food was good for what could have been a tourist trap. View was great. But I felt a little jarred after an hour of the noise. Reminiscing of college meat markets right now. Oh well.
(4)
Katrina S.
View is perfect, drinks are fantastic. Prices a bit high but expected. Wonderful oyster shooters! Our server was fun as well.
(4)
Alexandra L.
Incredible food!! They off a lot of amazing flavor combinations that you can't find anywhere else. We got quite a few dishes, and everything was extraordinary. Te staff was great, the server attentive, and we even got to see whales off the deck. You absolutely cannot find a restaurant with better food and a better view anywhere in San Diego.
(5)
Ali J.
Unbeatable view, right on the sand! The food was delicious, really high quality Sea Bass and cooked to perfection...the appetizer was also great, if not to my husband's liking...but to each his own. It can't all be perfect! His Salmon was excellent though and we will definitely be back. Great table service if not a bit "hovering", but better that than inattentive! We were there for our anniversary so maybe we were just sensitive to his watchful eye...but we were there at an early hour so not many other tables to serve. Atmosphere was overall incredible and we often say we want to go back. If it was a bit closer I know we would have returned a few times already.
(5)
Erin W.
Hello VIEW! Sit upstairs and enjoy the outside patio with views up and down the coast. The inside seating is very nice as well with ocean view. Great food and drinks! We enjoyed the beer battered shrimp tacos and calamari. Very well made margarita on the rocks. Rather upscale, don't arrive in your bathing suit. ;) Parking was honestly a nightmare.. we waited 30+ minutes on a sunny Sunday afternoon (2pm) for valet parking. Their parking lot is entirely too small, so you get stuck competing with the beach crowd. Didn't scare us off though.. we will be back!
(4)
Diana K.
Why would anyone come to laguna beach when you can come here. Food fresh and amazing, great wine list and clearly an unbelievable view
(5)
Daphne W.
Our party of 13 were seated in an area with a gorgeous ocean view; our waiter was very knowledgable about their menu items, professional, friendly and checked up on us frequently. And the food?!? Outstanding! Everything blew me away. Be prepared: Parking is only valet... If I remember right it's only about $3.
(5)
A B.
Took my sister there for lunch on her birthday. We sat downstairs next to the window;stunning view. Food , drinks and service was excellent. Can't wait to have dinner there with my husband and share a bottle of wine.... Only downside was the parking; small lot & it's valet only. So bring your state parking pass, if you have one, as that's their overflow parking lot.
(4)
Mike R.
Great place for lunch. We had the lobster BLT and the ahi sliders. Wonderful. The service was great. I would give 5 stars if the parking was better. Just beware of parking, go early.
(4)
Lynn C.
The Ahi was FABULOUS. Wanted to lick the plate!!!! Service is a little scattered, but it was very busy on a Friday evening at sunset. Valet parking is a must but be sure to leave plenty of time and have plenty of patience since the bulk of their parking is off site on the other side of the railroad tracks. If there is a train it will delay retreiving your car. I feel sorry for the valets, they really have to hustle and do the best they can with a bad parking situation. Most folks just give them $5 which is only a $1 tip since the parking costs $4. These guys really deserve much more since they have to run across PCH, and the tracks to get to the offsite lot. All in all even with the parking situation, make a reservation and GO there and EAT. You won't be sorry!
(5)
Shannon B.
Very good food, amazing in fact. Everyone thought their food was amazing, vegetarian and otherwise. The guacamole was not good and had those cheap colorful chips served with it. The banana split dessert was amazing but the gelato just tasted like ice cream. The blackberry margarita was the best drink. The service was the real reason for the three stars, everyone was polite and helpful but we waited maybe 30 minutes between each order so we sobered between each drink and filled up before dessert. Beautiful view!
(3)
Cindy R.
We made a reservation online and stated it was for our anniversary. Yet I think we probably got the worst seat in the house. I could see the view only if I tweaked my neck back all the way. Kinda sucked. The service was decent, our server was nice enough but she never even introduced herself, she told us what the specials were AFTER we ordered! The food did come out really fast, it was pretty good. Then, the server asks us if we want dessert. We ordered the apple pie. Then she brings us a bread pudding dessert "on the house" for anniversary. It was just kind of weird. I think I would've enjoyed the place more if we would've had a better table w/ a better view, its why we chose this place to begin with. Also when the bill was given to us, they give you a suggested tip amount to choose from, 15%, 20% or 25% based on your total, however the total was including the tax. And I'm sorry but I don't tip on tax, and I have been a server for many years. Especially when our bill came to $150. I thought that was very tacky.
(3)
Jim O.
Dinner @ 6:PM on a Tuesday. I am a small business owner hence I HATE writing an even "somewhat bad" review. Read on: Your age and wallet are different than mine. #1. I grew up next to the beach so an ocean view is not worth the $$$, bad service or loud noise downstairs. #2. I do not drink alcohol (yet) The pretty young woman behind the bar is a gem!!!! #3 The food is FABULOUS - but did not make up for the noise and service (downstairs). Try to eat upstairs on the patio. Good luck.
(2)
Benjamin C.
Food was okay, had heard from others about it being great, the food was okay, service and atmosphere was nice.
(4)
Grant N.
Its back! Saturday night and PCG is pumping. There are good and bads! Get a reservation well in advance, especially in these early days and on the weekend. Valet parking is a bit of a mess so be prepared to wait and that means getting in a line that stretches in to the beach parking lot beside the restaurant. Waited 15 mins to valet. Inside it seems manic. Tables are full, the bar is heaving and its very loud. Many people are standing in between the tables awaiting the sunset. Our 745 reservation sees us seated just after 8. Once seated, it turns in to a much more positive experience. The wait staff are very busy but the girl who served us was very attentive and smiled constantly even though she seemed stressed. The menu looked like PCG of old and in general the food was excellent. My lobster was a bit bland, but everyone else at our table raved, especially the wife and her seared Ahi and coconut rice. Desserts were delish. As the night progressed the noise abated as the bar became less occupied. Great: Food, Service, Views Not so Great: Valet parking, Loud I wonder what its going to be like during track season!
(4)
meg b.
The view is fantastic-but we did not have the same "magical experience" that another reviewer posted about. Our service was spotty-we waited 5 minutes for someone to even come to table. When they did, they acknowledged our wait and then sent someone else. She took our order for drinks, but then we were given another waiter as "she was busy". We could see our waiters but they never actually looked in our direction to see if we needed anything, we just had to wait until one or the other returned to our table. We had crab cakes, fish and chips, salmon, lobster chowder and sea bass. Food was fine but not impressive. 4 adults and one child, bill came to $200.00. The best measure of a restaurant's success is would a patron return. We would not.
(2)
Blake E.
I LOVE me some PCG! I had a delicious kiwi martini to start, sushi roll was awesome and the mahi mahi was amazing as well. Ambiance + Food = As good as it gets!
(5)
Donna A.
Love there Lobster and Shrimp Chowder and also Cardiff Reef Roll sushi. This gonna be my spot.We coming back next week.
(5)
Jamie P.
Happy that they are open and the venue is amazing. However, where are the skewers??? Happy hour needs to be back if I'm going to have to pay for valet parking and wait for my car. However, it is well worth the wait because the views are great as is the staff, food and Davids margaritas! LOVE!!!
(4)
Teresa L.
They do have a special menu for those who are vegetarian or need to eat gluten free meals, the problem is the chef doesn't know how to cook them. I had a mixed vegetable over coconut rice, picture this, black rice, snow peas, spinage, green beans and asparagus covered in oil! Nothing but green, green and more green piled high on a plate. It was terrible. My husband had tofu and vegetables, the chef opened a container of tofu, sliced it and seared it on a grill and served it. No flavoring whatsoever.
(1)
Kc S.
Ambience and view make up for the parking lot situation! North county needed this restaurant and they nailed it! Shrimp dumplings and sushi were stand outs!
(5)
Eric C.
We didn't even stay for entrees. Pros: Great location, nice decor, great valet that works hard, cordial bus boys Cons: LOUD. Mediocre food, unprofessional hostess and wait staff. Arrived there and we were told walk-ins weren't being accepted, however we could try to find a table upstairs. Upon walking upstairs, we were told there was a 45 minute wait. Walked downstairs and saw a bar table that was unoccupied (along with at least 6 unoccupied tables - presumably kept that way for "reservations"), so we took that. Downstairs hostess never mentioned anything about bar tables being available to eat at and merely sent us upstairs. Waitress took a while to saunter over to us. Forgot our drink order, had to come back and ask us again what we wanted. Ordered: Bag O' Bonz, subbed in Parmesan fries for regular - small ribs with minuscule amount of meat/flavor to them served in a small greasy paper bag with regular fries. Waitress forgot to sub the Parmesan fries in, we had to wait for those. They also came in a small grease-covered paper bag. They were tasty, but it's hard to mess up Parm fries. Shrimp Dumplings with a port wine sauce - HAH. Shrimp was decent with a slimy wrap texture. The sauce - oh my god. It was literally a stick of butter with some red food coloring. Absolute joke for the expediter to let that excuse out of the kitchen. Absolutely terrible. We went down the 101 and got burritos for dinner at Roberto's which were a quarter of the price and four times as tasty. Save your time/money and take your date somewhere else.
(2)
Cat G.
Amazing food, service and atmosphere! It doesn't get better than this in San Diego!
(5)
Bryan V.
My wife and I took our family to celebrate a birthday. Eating at Beach House for years, we had similar expectations for outdoor seating and great atmosphere. We made a reservation for 6pm on a Wednesday and requested outdoor seating. Upon arrival, we were told that no outdoor tables were available even though we saw two downstairs. 45 minutes later, a different foursome came in and was seated at one of them. Drinks are about $11 each, and the most basic chips (stale) and guacamole cost $9. I got sea bass and was served a plain-tasting piece of fish atop butter and oil-soaked spinach. The baked potato was dry, hard and overlooked. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the food. To my wife and I, you can order food that is as good or better at the Beach House, get an outdoor table on the upper deck, and pay about half the price. Unless you like to pay to watch the affluent drive up in Bentley's, Porsche Panamera's and Ferrari's, the experience doesn't match the price. We love paying for fine dining if the experience is memorable. Sorry. This does not deliver.
(2)
Chris A.
Spectacular sauces! Terrific service! A view that can't be beat! But tragically they've remodeled it to be so loud in there, lingering diners are encouraged to pay up and get out. It's unfortunate that so many restaurants are making this change--the owners clearly make the noise level intentionally loud to ensure a higher turnover rate. Makes for a profitable restaurant, but it's been a relief to leave the building both times I've been here. It's night-club loud and you can't even hear the music.
(3)
Joe H.
Killer location, killer views and great bar. Nice staff. Better than average food but not fantastic. IF the food was better this would be a slam dunk 5 stars.
(4)
Karen S.
Two stars for the decor and the views! Not enough shade outside and it's been hot so we went inside and views are throughout. 1. Hire a new hostess 2. Hire a new chef 3. Hire new wait staff We never got water.. No one acknowledge us for 20 minutes and the restaurant was empty. We ordered plain iced tea, they brought the flavored one by mistake but tried to convince us otherwise and a fresh margarita according to the description on the menu. Next we ordered the "made to order guacamole and salsa fresca--wasn't made to order and the chips were STALE! How can you go wrong with guco???? Next the yellowtail stack was fishy tasting so I returned it immediately (won't eat bad fish)!! The burger order was cooked wrong and was so average. This was all on the lunch menu. Beware the food is NOT fresh! I agree with the other reviewers that it is a great place for a cocktail with a view that's where it ends. The owner/manager was outside and he asked how everything was and I wanted to tell him that the service was awful and the food was returned because it was old and not fresh but rather posting my review on Yelp to save the embarrassment of complaining. Has great potential but not their yet.
(2)
Ashley T.
Yum and wow. The view was exquisite and the food divine. Oysters, oyster shooter with sake and ponzu, and an amazing roll followed by the ahi plate with forbidden rice. Gluten free but you would never know or care... It's that good. You won't be disappointed. Dave makes a delightful cocktail. PCG.... an all around treat.
(5)
Kerilyn L.
OMG! The food is amazing here! The views from every room are spectacular! I can't wait to go back again for dinner or happy hour. I had lunch here and was shockingly surprised how reasonably priced the lunch and drinks were!
(4)
Rose T.
We sat at the bar and ordered appetizers and drinks. It was an hour and a half before sunset. We had the best seats. It was Saturday night with a very hip crowd. We ordered every seafood appetizer on the menu and that's all we needed! Love the valet parking, so, so convenient!! CAN'T WAIT TO GO AGAIN!
(4)
Dusti H.
Great food and friendly service. The crab cakes were exceptional!
(5)
carol P.
After slumming it in our much loved Ocean Beach for a few days we decided to head north with no specific plans. On the way home we wanted to stop for dinner and had no idea where to go-so we winged it-not having a smartphone.... We saw Pacific Coast Grill and decided to try it. First off, the outdoor patio dining has one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. So, we waited ( and waited over an hour) for patio seating. You see, no one leaves once they have arrived at this spectacular setting.Anyway, we were well taken care of inside-ordered a few drinks and an appetizer. ( Blood Orange Margarita, Bloody Mary and chips and Guac) I'll tell you now-everything is a bit pricey. But, not any pricier than most upscale places in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Once we were seated we got the crab cakes, heirloom salad with shrimp and the shrimp & crab chowder. The only real disappointment was the chowder. Too thick-as in flour added..( what?) and no real stand out flavors. Everything else was very good. very good. The sourdough bread that comes complimentary-as good as it gets. Overall, I loved this place mostly for the view, the vibe and the above average food.
(4)
Meg B.
The old PCG was much better, the server was pushy and robotic about the sea bass, which happened to be the most expensive entree on the menu, we started with a calamari appetizer, that was cold and gummy, not like the old PCG. The sparkling wine split available was cheap Chandon for a ridiculously high price, they then charged us for two glasses of 20$ a gls red wine, which we caught on the bill that we had never ordered, the manager came over and apologized, but when we explained why we were leaving and told him that the Calamari was cold and had left it practically untouched, he only removed it, and just took the wine off, that was a complete mistake on their part which we never recieved nor ever ordered. Other than a great view the service and food was terrible.
(1)
Megan S.
Obviously the view is amazing! PCG has awesome decor, new and hip, very laid back, relaxing vibe! Great atmosphere. Upstairs bar is cozy and welcoming. Food was very good and highly recommend the Black Berry Margarita! Great place for a date! Loved getting a seat right by the huge ocean view windows.
(5)
Lori A.
We stopped by this restaurant to watch the sunset and have a few drinks with my 85 year old grandparents. They weren't serving dinner for another 15 minutes, so the hostess insisted that we couldn't sit at the tables (where other people were already sitting) and had to sit at the bar. When I explained that we weren't staying long and my visiting grandparents just wanted to relax for a little and watch the sunset but we would buy drinks, she snipped at me, saying, "nope" and walked away, leaving us standing there alone after paying for valet. It wasn't until my aunt chased her down and explained to her that 80-year-olds can't and shouldn't sit on bar stools that she finally backed down. She proceeded to sit us inside not even very close to a window. Our waitress was very nice and service was fine after our initial mistreatment at the door. We had our drinks and left before the dinner crowd even began showing up (would have stayed for dinner if we had been treated better). Hopefully this place will think about hiring a friendlier, more understanding hostess who will actually make people want to return to their establishment.
(2)
Sara E.
This place is great!!! Great food, great service and amazing location. Andrea who was so friendly greeted us and sat us. Our server was adorable and was super attentive. It's amazing that people are rating this place lower because it's too loud and too popular, maybe you should stay home and order a pizza!! In the words of Arnold, I'll be back!!
(5)
Melanie H.
Beautiful views and great food!
(4)
Carol R.
I made a reservation for 2 at 7:45 through Open Table, and when we arrived at 7:15 they were able to seat us right away on the upper deck, which was great service. The food was good, the service was ok-good because they were so busy, but the noise level outside on the upper deck was horrible, due to too many people & crammed tables! We nearly yelled to hear one another talk. The view was beautiful, but there needs to be some noise buffers or less tables. I felt frustrated during the entire experience, since I had trouble hearing my friend talk! We probably will not return to this restaurant.
(2)
Holly E.
Outstanding! Wonderfully experience! Service was great and the food delicious. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Tori O.
Very impressed. They spent a lot of time and money refurbishing this location. The view, the ambiance, the oceanfront location cannot be beat in North County. The service was good. Our waiter went out of his way to let us know the kitchen was a little backed up and prompted us to order accordingly. We had a party of 4 and each tried something different. We went right down the menu from appetizers, soup, salad, entrees and dessert. All the food was excellent. The standout was a very unique and delicious appetizer special. Sushi grade Ahi that you sear yourself on a rock that has been heated to 500 degrees. So glad we tried it, hope it makes it to the menu, perhaps as a house specialty. It was very crowded esp. for a Sunday night but I have to say they did an excellent job even sat us within 5 minutes of our reservation time. Can't wait to try some other menu items, everything sounded and looked delicious. Give it a try, you'll like it.
(5)
Ken R.
Nice restaurant, great ambiance as it is right on the water. We had a business dinner and was impressed. Not noisy allowing us to talk, food was good as was the service and servers.
(4)
Ryan C.
Horrible service, ok food. Cool atmosphere.
(2)
John S.
Our first time here since Charlies. The decor is nice and despite the busy evening the service was excellent. The four of us enjoyed the food, and while the bar drinks were somewhat expensive the wine list and pricing was excellent. Now, this place is super loud - I thought the Brooklyn Girl (Mission Hills) was loud until I experienced the Pacific Coast Grill. Definitely not a place for a quiet romantic dinner with quiet ambiance. Next time we will try one of the outdoor patios - the location is perfect and the views super great. We will return!
(3)
Judy F.
This was our first visit to PCG since they recently opened & we were pleasantly surprised - beautiful renovation! Love the decorative wood. As far as the view goes, you simply can't beat it. It was a nice evening & we could clearly see La Jolla! Our food was exceptional & everyone was going on about how delicious & different our selections were. It was just great! HOWEVER...we could hardly hear ourselves over the intense noise level. Way, WAY over the top, & we found ourselves having to shout just to hear. Really, really bad. It seemed better upstairs - we checked that out & next time will insist on being up there.
(4)
Beebee s.
I miss the old dark place with their happy hour fish tacos. The new place is nice and you get some great sunsets if you sit in the right location. But the setup is weird. Feels cut up and doesn't flow well in terms of fung shui both upstars and downstairs. The food is decent, but overpriced for what it is... I guess they need to pay for the new location. I go there waaaay less than I used to go to the old one. Parking is non existent and the valets are a bit gruff. I'll go agin but not my first choice.
(3)
Cathy C.
Great views, great atmosphere, and very good service. Halibut was dry which really should never happen. That's what they should do well.
(3)
Steven Z.
Food was delicious and plated with attention to detail. We ordered and the Yellowtail Tatare (highly recommended), the gourmet fries, shrimp dumplings, and the Seabass (which Halibut was subbed in for). Everything was perfectly cooked including the Halibut which 8/10 most places over cook. Service was very attentive ,and I didn't have to pour my own glass of wine once. Been awhile since that's happened. The manager was also awesome. I ordered a bottle of Peter Michael chard that wasn't the same appellation on their very extensive wine list. It didn't live up to Peter Michael standards in my book and tasted funky. No questions asked the waiter and manager apologized and offered us a different choice without charging us for corking that bottle. Great customer service. We will be back and if they continue to stay consistent the Beach House next door won't need to do the remodel they needed to do like 15 years ago they will just be outa business.
(5)
Renie G.
My husband and I went with two other friends on a week night. The views were very nice of the ocean lit up by spot lights. But our server was grumpy and my crab cakes were soggy. I thought everything was overpriced. I would only go back for drinks and the ocean view in the future.
(2)
George S.
The view is tops, but it goes downhill from there. I was told it was a great place to take a date, but no, no, no. Way too noisy to talk. $80 bottle of champagne didn't come with the courtesy of tasting it first. She just poured away, holding the glass under the table (weird). $150 dinner for two, no tablecloths or place mats. Just a bare table. Foodwise, the yellowtail tartar is excellent. The paella was good but salty and I salt everything, so if I say it's salty...it's salty.
(2)
Denise L.
Had lunch on the gorgeous beach patio. As it has already been mentioned, the heaters are very noisy with a loud humming buzz. A little distracting at first but got used to it. Spectacular day and the patio was packed by Noon. Started out with the yellowfin tuna tartar. It was good. They brought out our entrees before we had finished our appie so felt rushed. I had the sea bass which was good. Not outstanding but good. It looked a little thrown together and didn't have much presentation. The sea bass was not in one piece as it had all fallen apart. My friend had the seafood pasta which she raved about. I snuck a taste and it was tasty. Huge portions. 2 glasses of wine and a blackberry lemonade...more vodka than lemonade. Lunch came to $94 before tip. Server was nice. Service was fair but not great...no refilling of our waters and our appie plates sat on our table the entire meal without being removed. Location/view made the experience nice though and the food was good but nothing to rave about.
(3)
Judith T.
I would rate PCG with four stars if I had not ordered the Fish Tacos. Who had the "bright" idea to deconstruct them? Tortillas were cold and oily; fish was lukewarm. Saving grace was great flavor of all ingredients except tortillas, but I didn't expect to eat a fish salad. Location is superb; all staff excellent. Please rethink the fish tacos. aargh White chocolate bread pudding, big enough for three, was awesome. Ice tea weak and then not refilled with cubes. Not on my list for a return visit very soon with so many other fantastic restaurants in North County.
(3)
Tim D.
My wife and I dined here for brunch this hazy and lazy, cloudy (perfect) Sunday morning. I had the House Cured Salmon Platter and couldn't have been any happier - absolutely delicious. Our server was fantastic, professional and courteous. We were seated on the first floor of the establishment with an incredible view of the beach. Though it was cloudy as I mention above, we watched surfers, pelicans and beach-combers come and go; at one point two paddle-surfers headed through the breaks and dissapeared into the horizon. The Pacific Coast Grill is a little on the pricey side, albeit not unreasonable. For example my plate was around $15. The bar looked well-stocked and fun - we might just come back for hors d'oeuvres and a drink and perhaps dinner for a special occasion.
(4)
Michelle H.
We took a group here for New Year's Eve and had a great dinner. I'm not a big fan of prix fixe menus but this one was fantastic. Our server was great. The views are ASTOUNDING even at night with the flood lights illuminating the surf. I will definitely go back here and would recommend it.
(4)
nicole m.
I have visited Pacific Coast Grill three times and enjoyed the patio, the downstairs window seat dining, and the upstairs private room dining. All three experiences were enjoyable. As good as it gets, really. I found everything to be fantastic each time! The valet is fast and courteous. The wait staff is knowledgeable and easy-going. The bartenders know their wines and are helpful with cocktail suggestions. The private dining room is beautiful. Perfect for a girls dinner or a birthday dinner. Awesome views, wonderful atmosphere. Some items are pricey but I have enjoyed my visits there and have no complaints.
(5)
John Carlo A.
Went there today and food was very good. Give them a chance to work bugs out. Hostess should be friendlier but all in all very pleased. Will be back. New place new menu... dont judge from past. Worth paying little more for view.
(4)
Linda C.
Good food; good service; TOO LOUD!!!!!
(1)
Ruth M.
Thought the food was terrible. Staff was friendly and accommodating if you managed to trip them on their way past! Maybe we ordered the wrong thing: burger and steak sliders. The fries were not to either of our liking. Will not go back. But the place was quite crowded even at Monday noon so they must be doing something right.
(2)
Linda H.
Beautiful building--quite an improvement over a tired Charlie's. Sat on downstairs patio--great view. Bar filled up in first 2 minutes--really! You should have reservations although we didn't. Lobster tacos were great and servers were attentive. Hope they institute a Happy Hour soon. We'll be back.
(4)
Nicole H.
Let me say this first. I frequented the old location quite a bit for work and had absolutely no complaints whatsoever. In fact, loved it. That being said, I am definitely not happy with the new location. Maybe they are still trying to iron the kinks out, but I expected way better from them. Food is still awesome - Potstickers are amazing! BUT, the front staff is untrained and seemingly inexperienced. We had a 5p reservation for the patio upstairs. The lobby was empty, as was the rest of the restaurant since they don't seat until 5p. 5:15 rolls around and I had to remind them we hadn't been seated yet. They took us upstairs to yet another hostess stand and tried to seat us inside and away from the outdoor patio. The whole upstairs was empty! I did notice that quite a few other customers seemed agitated as well during their meals, but not sure why. I worked in food service for 6+ years and ALWAYS give the benefit of the doubt to restaurants, but they really failed here. Again, great food, but they need to step the service up a notch.
(2)
Mike S.
Went to Pacific Coast grill over the weekend. It was my daughters 5th birthday and we usually go to the Chart House but decided to try the new restaurant in town. Let's say we should have went to the Chart House. We got there at 5pm to think we would beat the crowds. It was nice for the first 20 minutes and then became so loud I couldn't hear myself think. The restaurant downstairs isn't the big and when the restaurant is full I couldn't talk to my wife that was setting across from me. Felt like I was in a club. Usually I have to tell my kids to be quite but this wasn't the case at all. The food is average I ordered the lobster tacos and it was a bowl of lobster soup with corn tortillas so you were eating soup with tortillas not really tacos!! The only thing good is the view!!!!
(1)
Barry S.
We used to go to The Beach House in Cardiff but when our son got married this summer, we decided to do the rehearsal dinner at the new restaurant next door, The Pacific Grill. They were extremely accommodating and the meal was uniquely creative and fantastic. Miguel, the general manager was there the entire time to make certain everything was perfect. The crab and lobster cakes are a great appetizer but so is the raw ahi that you sear on a hot rock at the table. The Beach House is good if you are up for simply standard fare, but if you wan something quite special, try the Pacific Coast Grill. I regularly take clients there for lunch or dinner. You can't go wrong with a 180 degree view of the beach. It's perfect for sunset viewing. Ask for the patio. Negatives: It only has valet parking because there is practically no parking lot in front of the restaurant. The other negative is the price. It's quite pricey but it's never been more true, 'you get what you pay for'. Try it.
(4)
Kathy P.
Just finished a late lunch here. Arrived at about 1:30 just as the crowd was leaving. Plenty of servers since it was the end of lunch hour. Had the appetizer, tuna tartar, poke style, delicious. Hubby had the fresh hamburger, myself the blackened shrimp sandwich special. The sandwich was good except the bread roll was kinda soggy, like wonder bread texture. All was good and worth the $. The ocean view cannot be beat. I browsed the drink / wine menu and if you come here for dinner it could get very pricey. I will return.
(4)
Toy W.
The parking situation took a 5 star restaurant and turned it into a 2 star. What a shame that the Valet company they are using has no clue as to what they are doing. EVERYone (nearly 30 people) waiting for their cars at around 8:30 last evening were equally upset. As we finished our amazing meal with amazing views from entire restaurant... it ended terribly. Waitress had asked what are last 3 digits of your valet number from the ticket, (you can only valet park as NO nearby parking at all). She said, "you can finish your glass of wine and i will give them these numbers or you will be waiting forever for your car". We gladly gave her the numbers... 15 minutes later we went out thinking car would be there, but instead noone had a "clue" about the car, the keys or anything else.... 35 minutes later, (after much frustration, conversations, and my husband running down the street (where they park the cars) to find it. Many reviews had spoken of the car cluster F..... but I thought, "oh probably just a bad nite for parking".... NOT SO...... It completely ruined what had been an amazing meal. This place has been one of my favorite for years, and had been so happy to see it re.open in the gorgeous new location. We will NOT be going back.
(2)
Heather C.
We love the new location. The views are breathtaking and the patios are right on the beach. We went there for lunch a few weeks ago and enjoyed everything we had. It is a bit pricier than it used to be, but the location is worth it.
(4)
Mark C.
We loved the old PCG when it was in Solana Beach and ate there very often because the food was great and prices were good. We especially liked the outdoor patio area they had in the old location. We also enjoyed eating at this new location when it was Charlie's. The NEW PCG in this new location is not as good as the old one, though the location is better if you prefer an ocean view. We ordered the crab cakes, which are smaller now and more spicy than before. Just not as good as before. We also tried the pork shortrib sliders which were fine but not as tasty as I would have liked. The fries are awesome though. The new attitude is not as friendly and relaxed though, definitely a snooty vibe now. Hey, this is not Orange County, you are still in San Diego. Loosen up. Apparently, if you don't drive a Ferrari or a Lambo up to the valet, you are a second class customer now. I think they parked my old Honda in a dirt lot 2 blocks away. Very Niiice. I dont think I will be back again anytime soon but I really don't think they will give a sh!t.
(3)
Ej N.
The worst food but terrific ocean front and decor. The chef needs to check with his grandmother on the meatloaf....dry, blah, spice less. The veggies were so oily...Poor service only checked back once. Go for a sunset glass of wine and then cross the road to eat at Las Olas or walk down to the Chart House...
(2)
Marc K.
PCG is awesome and I'm glad its finally open. Every table has amazing views and the food is delicious. I can't believe its running so well considering its newly open and crowded. Come prepared to spend $75 - $100 per person and make reservations in advance.
(5)
Adrienne M.
Watching the waves crash into the beach creates a fabulous backdrop for any dining experience...but the food still has to be good. We ate lunch at this relatively new place (where Charlie's used to be) and we weren't disappointed. I enjoyed the PCG Burger, cooked perfectly and obviously ground in-house, as noted on the menu. The Kennebee fries were merely OK; nothing to write home about, but not a disaster. They were saved somewhat by the house-made ketchup, which packed more "punch" than I expected. My friend chose the Heirloom Tomato & Pesto Grilled Shrimp, which she said was fabulous. Our attentive waiter, clued into the fact that it was my birthday, delivered a candle-adorned apple bread pudding to the table; although the sea breeze quickly doused the flame, I had time to make my wish and the warm, sweet dessert was delectable. Only downside is the parking, valet ($4) or a rather long walk.
(4)
Cory M.
Good food and a nice setting. I would definitely recommend it, but be sure to make a reservation.
(4)
carly a.
I came here after opening day and sat in the bar. The food was great, the service was amazing and the view is spectacular! Joel is very sweet!
(5)
David B.
The long wait is finally over. Yes it was well worth it. The resturant is very well decorated and has the best views in So Cal. The staff is very friendly and good looking. The food was amazing. I had the Tuna app and Halibut for dinner off the hook. I cant wait for my next meal at P.C.G.
(5)
Kendall B.
The food here is average at best. It's one of those restaurants that have a good view so are always crowded. I had the lobster tacos tonight and it is exactly as another review described; a bowl of lobster/tomato broth w/corn sitting in a bowl of black beans w/tortillas stuck into the beans around the bowl. VERY awkward to eat as the tortillas soak up the black beans and are soggy. Really weird presentation. Also the lobster/tomato combo had no flavor or zing. BORING. Our food took about 3 min to get to the table which we thought was very suspicious. Maybe not made to order dishes? Not even my son's fish could be cooked so quickly. It was overcooked and swimiming in sauce as a coverup. It is also incredibly loud in the dining room and we were there at 6:30. Good luck later on having a conversation!! We live near the beach so I don't feel the need to go back just to look at the ocean!!!
(2)
Karen R T.
i was there tues 7-10-12 parking is a mess the eving started out bad, valet was very rude, asked him to be careful with my car and his snotty reply was he parks bentleys, rolls royce etc. got inside about 7;30 pm chaos! loud loud loud can hardly talk, we had no reservations, so waited for a bar table, got one , really expensive, party of 3, $l65.00 , my friend went to hostess stand and wanted to make reservations for sat nite for 8 people and the MANAGER WOULD NOT TAKE IT.She had people from England she wanted to bring there, i am a local and have been going to the old PCG FOR YEARS , and was anxiously awaiting for this one to open. i or my friends will not go back, imagine a high end restaurant turning down reservations for eight,but that is not the end i got the same rude valet picking up my car, too much chaos, i gave the valet a 5 dollar tip should have asked for it back, he was rude coming and going.
(1)
Debra L.
this place is beautiful, try the deck, but don't sit down if it is 4:45 coz it doesn't "open" until 5!! seriously, although the deck was actually "open" we were unseated for 15 minutes..we went to the bar and ordered our favorite dish, shrimp dumplings....FABULOUS!! we have been missing them as they transitioned from Solana Beach to Cardiff....can't recommend this place enough....i think this place will be a star..just what the building needed...good food, good vibes....LOVE IT!!
(5)
Carson M.
Fantastic experience after my exhausting finish earlier that morning at the Carlsbad marathon. The menu here was phenomenal and everything we tried was great. The mussels are an absolute MUST- we asked for a loaf of bread just to get all of the sauce! The calamari was fresh, the short ribs were super unique/delicious and the cocktails were just what we needed. Beyond the fantastic food and ambiance/location, the service was top shelf. Shannon was unbelievable- she gave us honest recommendations on food and wine and new just when we needed her around and just when we were fine enjoying ourselves. Would go back in an instant.
(5)
Barbara O.
What makes the perfect dining experience? For me it begins with a warm welcome, attentive, friendly service from knowledgable servers and of course fresh, delicious food prepared in a creative manner. Pacific Coast Grill not only provides culinary excellence and stunningly beautiful ambience, but also the most wonderful dining experience. From the moment we were greeted by the professional and sweet hostesses, to the end when walking out, the servers, bussers, and management all worked seamlessly together to make for a relaxing, delicious evening. Yum!
(5)
Kristina I.
I ate about it! Or maybe I drank about it. PCG's patio is the place to be in NCounty!!!
(5)
Doug P.
4.5...sweet spot to watch sunset then stroll beach. Lobster tacos perfect...order with guacamole to take it another level. Sushi rolls a pleasant surprise. Service steady...did not feel like our prime table needed to be turned in a hurry for a Sat eve.
(4)
Tim M.
Third time visiting PCG in the new location. Menu is pretty similar to the old location except the prices have gone way up. I guess that is to be expected as I would think the rent did too. The restaurant is really beautiful and you definitely can't beat the view. Our server was great, very friend and prompt. The only draw back our the prices. It's 3star food at 5star prices. Two cocktails, two glasses of wine, one sushi (decent but 19dollars) roll. Two entree's, one short ribs with Au gratin was good and I would probably have it again. Very minor complaint was the demi glaze is a little heavy. GF had the Paella. The seafood was great but the flavor of the rice was not good. A definite pass. All total with tip $225 ouch. If money is no issue then there are some good options but some passes too.
(3)
Eddie C.
Wanted a nice place to have lunch on a week day along the beach so yelped and came up to visit here. The person who I believe was the manager seated us and he was really nice. We were seated outside with only a wall between us and the beach. Great view! Ordered a draft beer and the wife ordered a blueberry margarita which was good and strong. I ordered the Ahi Sliders and she the Hamburger. My sliders were OK and nothing outstanding. Wife mentioned her hamburger wasn't "that tasty'. I would definitely return for the view but not the food and the server was OK. Maybe dinner would be a different situation.
(3)
Michelle N.
It is rare in North County San Diego to find a restaurant on the beach, with amazing food, wonderful service and parking.. but PCG has it all!! The menu is phenom, the service is soo impressive - in fact, I have horrible food allergies and I list them when I make a reservation and at PCG our waiter always shows up to the table with them listed to help me order - impressive!! The lobster tacos are mouth wateringly divine and sitting on the beach but inside is ideal for most! I truly LOVE this restaurant and would highly recommend it - and its in my home town so just a short drive/ walk away!!
(5)
Kevin S.
Had a great time, worth it.
(5)
Toni Taylor B.
Called to make reservations for a party of 8 - big anniversary night. Receptionist was civil, didn't make it to cordial. Disappointing, but I'm hoping the actual dining experience will be better.
(3)
Elaine H.
clearly a very popular place...we had reservations at 5:30 on a sunny Saturday and it was hopping! we were seated immediately and served promptly. take a hat or sunglasses near sunset as the view is beautiful but it is very sunny near windows. food was absolutely delicious, fish was very well prepared (the 4 of us all had different fish and different preparations and everyone was very happy). I did not question the staff about sustainability issues with their fish, so I can't address that (which would really be my only question about this restaurant). delightful and delicious spot on the water!
Pacific Coast Grill. This is an excellent place for lunch, and I'm sure dinner. This place has gone through a couple of owners and remodels in the last 10 years, each one has been a step up. The new owner is also the founder of Belly Up Tavern, which is one of the top entertainment places in north county, beside the legendary Del Mar Race Track, Pure Platinum come in 3rd. The Food. Appetizer. Chip and Guacamole. The guacamole was excellent, freshly made with a little spice to it, with tomatoes on top. The chips, nothing special, basically bag corn chips. Family size bag $2.99 Von's. Entrees. 1) Bag of Bonz, apple-wood smoked Hawaiian style baby back ribs & fresh-cut Kennebec fries. (See Picture) My sister order this, but I did have one of the ribs. Fall of the bonz tasty, could ate another 10 ribs easily. 3.5. 2) Lobster Tacos with roasted corn-tomato salsa, black beans & choice of tortillas. I've never had lobster tacos like this. Good size bowl of fresh lobster meat chunks with the salsa with corn tortillas placed around the plate. (See Picture) I could easily eat this 3 times a week. The lobster is placed inside the bowl with salsa, so you have the juices from the salsa seeping into the lobster meat. I've had hundreds of fish tacos in the last couple of years, and this is one of the best, you'll have to drive to Pasadena to 140 Cafe to get something comparable. 5 The View. Right on the ocean we had an awesome window table over looking the rocks, birds and beach, couldn't get any better. The Service. It's OK I've had better, but then it was busy, seemed like it could of been under staffed. They do have valet service, you can be cheap and park in the beach parking lot or find a place along side the road. If your going to spend around $100.00 for 2 for lunch you can spend another $4.00 for valet. If I lived in the area this would be my new lunch spot.
(5)
See L.
Been here a few times, the view is great. It's very noisy inside. But always disappointed with the food. I ordered seared sea bass today, it can't be any smaller for a $21 entree. I asked the waitress, and she said it's the right portion. That's all she said. The taste was so so. I don't think I will recommend this place for its food.
(2)
Joseph R.
We had a delightful birthday dinner for a party of 8 at the Pacific Coast Grill last night. After a mix-up on table location, the manager, Joel, was kind enough to rearrange some tables and chairs on the outside patio right on the beach wall giving us a magnificent view. Two patio heaters and some PCG blankets made it comfortable for all. Our server, Lori, did a great job and made sure that the cocktails and wine kept flowing until our meals were served. Most of us had the special, mahi-mahi, and it was outstanding! I had a delicious beet and pear salad followed by the pacific mussels as my entre. Thanks again to Joel and to Lori for making this birthday such a special event. We will be back to the Pacific Coast Grill soon and often.
(5)
Melissa M.
We asked the front staff what their happy hour was. Response? "We don't have happy hour, we don't need it". Hmmmm looks like you don't need my business either. Left the completely empty bar area after one mediocre $11 margarita and went 2 doors down for a kick ass happy hour menu. Good riddance and good luck.
(2)
Irene A.
This place has a wonderful view and has a private dining area for a big group which is where we sat. Literally every dish we had was wonderful. For appetizers we got the fried calamari, sushi, shrimp dumplings and fries. All were delicious. For my main course I was going to get the lobster taco but the waitress fortunately informed me that I would have to make it myself. Because this turned me off from getting the meal I decided on the ahi instead which was delicious and I did not regret my choice. Our waitress was friendly and had good customer service. I would go back to this restaurant.
(5)
Nancy C.
Very nice, great service! Other than the hostess who was a little snooty. Got ther about 3:45 so it wasn't busy, Told her twice we were going to eat. Said we could only sit in the bar area if we were having appetizers & drinks. Ended up seating us inside, never asked if we'd like to be in or out. Had a wonderful waiter, Thomas. Absolutely fantastic appitizers Highly recommend the shrimp wontons. Ended up having three appitizers and the chowder, was a wonderful way to spend part of our last vacation day.
(4)
Cynthia M.
First time here; had a wonderful time! I went with a small group of friends for my birthday dinner last night and I really enjoyed myself! Karin was a our server and she was fabulous! Made us feel special, especially me, the birthday girl. All dinners ordered were scrumptious! I had the lobster carbanara. Delish and plenty for lunch today! I highly recommend! Ask for Karin's section, you won't be disappointed! Thanks!!!!
(5)
Lydia R.
We have enjoyed several meals at this restaurant and have never been disappointed. The setting is a perfect place for a sunset dinner. Enjoyed the Chilean Sea Bass tonight prepared with risotto in a Mexican bouillabaisse with clams and shrimp. Amazing favors and the fish was cooked perfect. The lobster tacos were good but not great. Steve was an attentive waiter. Definitely looking forward to our next meal there.
(4)
Cheryl E.
Recently visited for a celebratory dinner with coworkers. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. The service was really good, and the food was even better. We sat outside with a fantastic view and with the heaters provided the temperature was perfect. I had a seafood risotto that was really nice. My friends were raving about the banana split. Normally I skip dessert but I decided to try it and oh boy am I glad I did. It was amazing and I highly recommend it. Definitely check this place out sometime. It is good for groups or a date night.
(4)
Penny Lane S.
Two thumbs up for the paella. Three thumbs up for the view. So glad there is a good beachfront restaurant in cardiff now. Next time I'll have to try the steak. Nom nom nom.
(4)
Jeffrey J.
We went there last night for our 17th anniversary and were not disappointed! The view was great, the service was attentive, and the food was delicious! The parking was affordable, (you're on the coast, for goodness sake), and the location is terrific. Much more affordable than the places next door, but just as good for us. The only drawback we saw was the lack of vegetarian entrees. We would love to take some friends, but they are vegetarians, and there were no options other than salads. This being SoCal, we were surprised, but that's all I would change.
(4)
Sarah S.
I went here last night with a couple girl friends and we had a great time. I got there before everyone else in my group, so I had a drink at the bar. Great recommendations by the friendly bartender. Food was all very tasty, we had lobster carbonara, filet, and lobster tacos. We would recommend it all. But the best part by far was the service. From the helpful bartender and waitress, to the friendly bus boys, to the awesome valet staff! When the valet came back with my car, I had a flat tire. Hey, sh** happens, right? The two valet on staff wasted no time putting on my spare tire. They were friendly and joking, and did an awesome job! They went out of their way to help me and I really appreciate it. I really regret not asking for all the staff's names, because they were all great. Thank you!
(5)
Dan C.
I went here with my family for dinner because my sister was going away to college and we figured we would try this new place on the beach. They have valet parking, which is almost a must due to how many people are parked in the limited street parking and the lot is full of Mercedes, BMW's, and even had a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce. We had a reservation and were seated promptly at a table near the back where we had an ocean view that was very nice. The waitress did not come for about twenty minutes and we never got water, during that time we looked over the menu and once the waitress did make her way to us we ordered drinks. We were about to order appetizers, but she was already headed off when we were finishing order drinks. when she did return we ordered a couple of appetizers. We got the short ribs appetizer "bag of bones" and the Chips and Guacamole. The Chips and Guacamole were delicious I had not had that fresh of guacamole in awhile, but for the price it better be! The ribs were average and came with a good bbq/spicy type sauce that was very unique. The main courses come out and I ordered the Spicy-Char Pork Tenderloin that was actually pretty good. I don't eat pork often because I feel that a lot of restaurants mess it up, but this was actually good and I recommend it if you go here. I tasted a couple of my families dishes and got their opinions and they are as follows: Pan Seared Sea Bass: 2.5/5, dry, seasoned decently, but not great. Char-Grilled Wild Salmon: 3/5, good, but not what was expected from a restaurant that touts their seafood and beach themed dishes. Hawaiian Style Baby Back Ribs: 3/5, descent, but comparable to what you can get at Chili's In summary I think that the service is mediocre, the ambiance and location is excellent, the food is average, but the price tag attached is undeserving.
(2)
Ron H.
Great view of the ocean sunset. Excellent service. Valet parking very helpful, food was outstanding. Our group enjoyed the mahi mahi, sword fish and sushi, the paea (sure the spelling is wrong!) was expensive but well worth it. Great evening of fine dining in casual atmosphere. Will be back.
(5)
Daniella F.
I just dined here for the first time and it was with a large party (40+). The Events team helped me every step of the way and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The event flowed smoothly and everyone enjoyed the food. Their Paella can't be beat!
(4)
Kelly C.
Love this place for the view, food and drinks. Ahi with the coconut forbidden rice is a fave! Also like the "Kids Menu" is the "Dependents Menu" with more options than standard kid fare.
(4)
Elena L.
i searched the words happy hour and this came up first. no happy hour and the bartender looked at me with complete blank stare what i asked her about it. like she had never heard of happy hour at 5pm on a tuesday.
(3)
D J.
What a disappointment! Had been to the old PCG many years ago and was looking forward to the new location - which is an absolutely gorgeous spot. However: 1. Parking is a nightmare. The lot is very small, the valets do their best, but as the driveway is shared with public beach parking, just getting in a challenge. The valet asks if you have reservations and actually has a print-out to check! And the wait for the car after dinner is a bit slow since they have to park cars across the busy street. Lots of Mercedes, etc. in the parking lot, if that tells you anything. 2. The re-done restaurant is very attractive. Of course, the star is the view - the ocean is RIGHT THERE. There is a small amount of outdoor seating, but lots of windows so you almost always get the view. There is a bar/deck upstairs (which I didn't check out). 3. The menu is very enticing (check it out online). Prices are what I expected. Wine list is pretty good. I liked the Pinot Grigio I ordered. 4. The service is okay. Despite the crowd, we were seated promptly. Our server was timely. However, it was very impersonal. While I don't expect or want the server to be my buddy, I do expect some enthusiasm and suggestions about the menu. No pitches about what's good, etc. Very perfunctory. We were encouraged to order quickly because it was very busy, which sounded like a good idea, but after the fact seemed like we were being rushed. 5. We got our food quickly, too quickly. I wondered how much of the dinner was pre-done. - We had the tuna tartare stack for an appetizer. It was very fresh and clean tasting but could have used a little more zip. - I had the glazed salmon which was okay but none of the flavors stood out. The fish was a little dry, the pineapple salsa didn't have much of a flavor, there were a ton of snow peas which were flabby. - My husband had the mahi mahi which he said was "all right." - The dessert list was uninspired so we passed. 6. Our table was a two-top next to a window but along the main traffic way to other booths and tables. As a result, there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing around us, not making for a peaceful meal. 7. Lastly, and most difficult to capture was "the vibe." Whatever it was, I didn't care for it. Perhaps because it's new, it's right on the beach, and it was crowded, it did not feel welcoming. It was very business-like, too much so. All in all, I don't plan on another visit any time soon.
(2)
Veronica W.
Great new location! Good wine, cocktails and food. So glad they moved to this new spot!
(5)
Robin R.
The food is always good, the staff is attentive and you can't get a better view!!
(5)
Steph J.
Love love love! Beautiful view. Great food. Great bar. Usually have the special, can't go wrong. Fresh and local seafood. Great place for happy hour. Really impressed with the renovations.
(5)
Michelle S.
I've been to this place twice now and really like it. I sit upstairs as they have a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean or you can sit inside upstairs that also has a magnificent view of the ocean. Had the chips & guacamole, which was good. Each time I had the BBQ ribs. They are asian flavored (hoisin sauce) and they are tender and delicious. I actually was craving them so much that I went back a second time. I tried my friend's fish dish and it was good as well. The fries are crispy and good. The service has always been incredible. They remodeled the place from the previous restaurant, Charlie's and they did a fantastic job - wood throughout and gorgeous. It can get loud upstairs during happy hour but it is a fun place. Valet parking too!
(4)
Marline P.
Had another yummy meal at PCG - this time lunch on a Saturday. My friend loved her fish tacos and my SW salad was delicious. It's a lovely setting right on the beach and we had wonderful service from Blake. The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that like many restaurants these days, in an effort to have a contemporary look, there are absolutely no sound buffers. When the room gets full you can hardly hear yourself think let alone have a comfortable conversation. Definitely not a place for a romantic meal, which is a shame. If that doesn't bother you, it's a great place.
(4)
Bryan W.
This is now one of my favorite restaurants - been 3 times since they moved. Excellent food, some of the best views, and wonderful service. So often you go to "fine dining" places with wonderful views and the food is mediocre at best. We used to be frequent guests when they were in Solana Beach and the food was good. But now the food is excellent. And they are great about accommodating my wife and her gluten-free diet. It blows away the "place" next door. If you haven't been to this new location, go!
(5)
Mindy L.
Great ocean view. Disappointed with the food. Baby back ribs way too dry with little meat. My husband order an entree of ahi tuna totally not fresh at all. Will not come back again.
(2)
M P.
I was skeptical about coming here bc of all the mixed reviews, but we were pleasantly surprised. Go early and the views are completely worth it. We had the mussels- cooked perfectly in white wine garlic sauce. The lobster crab cakes were decent - lots of fillers. The shrimp skewers tomatoes salad was good, but small shrimp. The sea bass dinner was well prepared and not over cooked . If you like peanut butter, the banana split was delicious. Overall we had a very dinner and we will come back.
(4)
Patrick H.
Really nice place. I was able to score a primo table on the second floor patio right on the railing overlooking the ocean. Gorgeous setting, the sea bass was above average and the service was prompt and friendly.
(5)
A R.
Parking/Valet Service: It's the beach, so parking is insane. Use the valet service which is just $4 and service from the super nice guys that park your car will make you feel better about the change you're gonna drop on the meal. Hostess / Service: Young, snooty, beautiful hostesses who looked us up and down as we walked in, then uttered a bland "hello". Ladies, this is NOT Milan, Paris or NYC. Drop the attitude and offer a pleasant greeting to guests as they enter the restaurant! My friend and I were here for a late lunch and wanted to sit upstairs but all tables were in the sun, so we took a downstairs table which had a great view. Our server was prompt, efficient, and pleasant. Not over-the-top bubbly but that's OK. It's a restaurant - not Disney Land. Food / Lunch: Ordered the Mussels as a starter - GROSS. They came in a tomato-chorizo broth. Picked at it, but it was salty and the greasy. The flavors overwhelmed the mussels. I prefer mussels cooked simply: butter, garlic, white wine. Cafe Chloe downtown San Diego cooks mussels to perfection... looks like I'll have to keep going there for my fix. Friend ordered Bag o' Bonz which has disgusting presentation: literally 10 mini ribs stuffed into a paper sack on top of french fries which were greasy and limp. I ordered Baja fish tacos and they were NOT Baja fish tacos! Horrid presentation: bowl of grilled fish in a light broth, set atop black beans with four corn tortillas. No guacamole, no cabbage.... what kind of fish taco is that?! We were hungry and just ate what we could but I've now got an awful stomachache and I NEVER get sick from fish tacos... that's my "go-to" food item. But PCG's version is gross. Decor: Get some freakin plants in here! Honest to goodness - a few potted palms, a cute succulent on each table... this place lacks soul and greenery. I'm in no rush to go back...
(2)
Diana A.
I decided to take a special friend to celebrate his birthday and was excited that PCG finally opened in Cardiff. Ambience: Fantastic view of the ocean if you sit in the area with the windows. I had made a reservation and requested outdoor seating. We were sat inside and only one of us had a view of the ocean and the other a view of the bar. It's very noisy. If you want to go for a romantic , quiet dinner this is not the place. Our reservation was for 7.30 p.m. We were seated promptly. There were a few empty tables but they would not seat us at those because they were reserved, oddly enough they were empty the entire time of our dinner. It's a nice, clean, simple design which I appreciated. Food: Calamari with spicy dip; fried calamari is hard to mess up. Nothing special. Mahi Mahi with pistachio crust and mashed potatoes: very nice dish and it came with a sauce that was tasty. Lobster tacos: surprinsingly very good - the lobster was in small chunks and in a tasty tomotoe sauce. Dessert: creme brulee - it was nice. The blackberry margarita was Service: Waiter was nice, seemed rushed, not very attentive and took long to serve appetizer.
(4)
Cyn J.
I used to go to PCG when they were in Solana Beach and I was excited for their new location in Cardiff. Now that PCG is in a beautiful location, they do not have happy hour, PCG's menu is very different, and everything is much more expensive. Also, the food is just ok, at best. I hope PCG enjoys the summer and all the tourists they are targeting because once that is over, I don't think locals will be too stoked to be going back. Patricia J. is right; PCG is OVERPRICED. I agree with Jordan B., "the valet...is a cluster f*ck!" For these prices, I'd rather go to the Chart House. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!
(1)
Jennifer R.
This is my new favorite place! My husband and I had a rare date night while the kids were at a drop-off Halloween party - oh thank you kind parents who allow drop-offs!. Because it's off-season for the beach we didn't have any problem with too many cars at the valet or showing up without a reservation at 7:00 PM on a Friday night - unheard of during the summer at beach venues! There wasn't any room downstairs in the main dining room, but the very sweet hostess walked us upstairs to what I assume is the casual dining area - how much better it was to have the upstairs ocean view I must say :) The food was really, really good! I have dined at PCG's Solana Beach location for lunch on a couple of occasions & liked it, but my sea bass for this dinner was AMAZING! The fish was cooked to perfection, the sauce was flavorful and the potatoes were scrumptious! My delicious glass of wine with the beautiful ocean view topped off a wonderful, relaxing night. Additionally, the service was prompt. The waiter was okay, not Mr. Personality, but he did his job. We will not have to deal with the snotty hostesses and mediocre food at the Beach House next door, just to have a marvelous ocean view anymore :) Now if we could just find a great place to move on to for dessert! Any suggestions Yelpers?
(5)
Sarah W.
Two Words: (1) Lobster (2) Tacos OK, OK... so, sure.. I'm not going to sugar-coat it.. PCG is pricey, but I would pay for delicious food and a gorgeous atmosphere like that any day. We went during their odd time of day on the weekend, so they had a limited menu in order to allow their kitchen to make the switch from lunch to dinner, which admittedly upon entering and being told that, we almost walked out. However, they do have a decently sized menu (marked by the asterisks) and it was exactly what we would've ordered regardless (Whew! Crisis and angry yelp review averted!! ;) ) I had their Blackberry Marg and that was super tasty, but probably too sweet to have a ton of them. Which is A-ok with me. If I want a ton of margs, I'll just go across and down 2 restaurants to mis Favritas, Las Olas... where the chips are free and the margaritas are so strong you really should only legally be served 2 in order to survive the drive in the gauntlet that is N. coast HWY.
(4)
Tammy H.
Parking was a debacle!!! We sat in the valet line for about 10 minutes before we were able to inch our way out and look for parking elsewhere. Luckily we found a spot about a 5 minute walk down the beach. When we made it back to the restaurant, the same cars were still in line for the packed parking lot. Our reservations were for 7:45 for a table of 6. We were not seated until well after 8, but the table and view made up for the wait. Beware - the overhang on the patio was dripping so bad by the end of the night we had to move our chairs all around, which made for an uncomfortable end to the evening. We ordered several appetizers which were all pretty good, the crab cakes were delicious. For dinner I ordered the Mahi Mahi, it was good, not great. My beau ordered the Seared Ahi with the Forbidden rice, he said it was so good he was going to "lick the plate clean", he spared me that embarrassment. Ordered bread pudding for dessert, it was so dense it did not taste like a true bread pudding. I am giving 3 stars because the food and service was pretty good, but the parking left a sour taste in my mouth and having to play musical chairs to avoid dripping water was annoying.
(3)
Suzie M.
Wonderful food, great views, good service! The only thing is that it is way too dark.....could hardly read the menu. As an aside........I have a complaint about the San Diego customers. Here we were at a very expensive lovely restaurant and people came in beach clothes, hats on backwards and completely unkempt. The "dress " is supposed to be business casual...but it was more like Home Depot or McDonald's dress. Kind of an insult to the restaurant. Come on people..........show some pride!
(4)
marty b.
Went without reservations last night. Got the best seat in the house out on patio! The view was incredible! Sunset was breath taking. Service was stellar & food was fantastic. The filet was perfect & most tasty! It was a wonderful evening. Might even go back again tonight! Thanks for a special time! Waitress even arranged for our valet parked car to be ready when we left & avoid any waiting! Can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Andrea B.
The food, wow, the view double wow, the waiter, outstanding. This is a first class place with amazing food and an amazing atmosphere, you've got to go during sunset, beautiful. We tried 4 appetizers and they were all different and delicious. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Fred T.
We hesitated trying Pacific Coast because we expected another below average food experience in a fantastic ocean view setting - a tourist trap like its two adjacent neighbors. We've been there 3 times now and find it just OK - sure, the view is great, but the menus is very limited. Basically, every dish is the same - some form of crusted concoction you would expect from Red Lobster. I wish they could put in some plain grilled fish entrees like a nice swordfish - let me enjoy a great piece of grilled fish without the sweet/sour/carb injected coverup. The wine list is also extremely limited unless you like CA cabs and super buttery heavily oaked Chard. Please add in some variety for those of us not brainwashed by CA wines - some nice steel mineral Italians or Spanish whites would be great. I know this is the CA coast, but take off the blinders and expand the choices a bit please. Thank You.
(3)
Michele H.
They haven't missed a detail even down to the restrooms! The design, food, staff, view, etc., etc are all amazing. We had the Hot Rock Surf and Turf for an app. I have NEVER tasted ahi that good! The little pickled cucumbers were great on the rock too! The Gott cab.. $10.00 a glass, was so good that i had to stop myself after three glasses. I had the sea bass. It was perfectly sized, it melted in your mouth, and the sauce wasn't too much, light and just enough flavor. I usually don't like any sauce on my fish, but this was perfect. The only complaint that I have is that it was really mean to only give four bites of the spinach! More please! I ordered 1 scallop. They popped it on top of my bass. It was the BEST scallop that I have ever had. Worth every penny.
(5)
Sanoe E.
I love everything about this place. The view, the service, and THE FOOD! I have eaten here several tims and everything I have had here so far has been delicious! Love that you can get an $8 Don Julio tequila on the rocks. The lobster carbonara is incredible with a healthy portion of lobster! I tried two sushi rolls and was very impressed. With everywhere always using imitation crab meat I was stoked to have sushi with REAL crab meat inside rather than the imitation. The quality of the fish was great too. Yes this place is pricey but its a place you come when you want something special and not your average experience. If you want a good place for a date night or celebration of a special something... this place should not disappoint you :)
(5)
Gaelan T.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego hands-down. Ambiance is amazing overlooking the beach, the outdoor seating is best but really there is not a bad seat in the house. I had oysters and the paella... a bit pricey but worth every penny. This resto reminds us of our home in Nantucket, beach chic can't be beat!
(5)
Candice F.
Loved this place! Right on the sand, my husband & I went for our anniversary dinner. Crabcakes & calamari were delish. Crab crusted Mahi was perfectly cooked. Great seafood! Our waiter was super friendly and even gave us their white chocolate bread pudding for dessert in the house and it was the perfect ending to a great evening. Wouldn't bring my 2 year old there (unless I had to) , more of an adult place, but we will be coming back soon!!
(5)
Mike H.
We've been waiting for the right time to try them out since they opened. With guests in from the East Coast, last night was the perfect time. Fantastic experience all around. Great food, great service, amazing location. We sat outside on the patio. Overhead heaters helped a lot, but bring a sweater (San Diego beaches at night in November?!). The jalapeno cucumber margarita was outstanding. Poseidon used to be our go-to place for ocean front, but this has now replaced it. Similar setting, but better food and service. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. 4 adults and 2 kids, our bill all-in was just under $300.
(5)
Ethan S.
3.5 Stars! Ok so let me start by saying the atmosphere, the view, the food, and the drinks are all really good. This place gets 3 stars because of the service. We used to frequent the old one in Solana Beach quite a bit, and the food never disappointed, nor did the service. On this particular visit, we sat outside with a beautiful view of the water. Our Waitress took FOREVER to get to us, but when she did she was overall pretty friendly. Throughout the meal of amazing Shrimp Dumplings (Get two orders) and Lobster Tacos, she frequently forgot things, mixed up a drink or two, etc... As a former server I am pro-waiter/waitress, but she wasn't even busy as we went in around 5pm during the week. Nonetheless, we enjoyed ourselves overall. It is a bit pricey as it was in Solana, but again what do you expect? You're on the beach in Cardiff. I'm gonna try it again in the bar this time for happy hour!
(3)
Emma H.
I came here just the other day to scope out the new location after a few drinks at Las Olas just down the street. I had been craving the shrimp dumplings with port wine reduction sauce (to die for) on the appetizer menu. I got the dumplings and the ahi sliders everything was spectacular food wise. Not so much in other aspects... The view is nice but really darn hot... And seemed to be no air ventilation...um, we're on the beach, can we get some fresh air? The person I was with agreed. Service was mediocre and seemed really lax and not enthusiastic at all. Also that day attire for the servers was honestly just really unflattering. Baby blue, khakis and white tennishoes? It's not a yacht club... In my opinion if your going to re-open up a new location and change the whole restaurant vibe, ambiance and concept, you may as well just change the name too. I had high hopes and was very excited being someone who grew up at the original pacific coast grill and enjoyed it very much. But was let down...The food is still amazing and for that I will most likely return... And the view... But that's about it.
(3)
Latida E.
Beautiful views, great atmosphere, delicious food. Pricey
(4)
Julie J.
Mediocre would be flattering. Food was downright bad. Good views can only get you so far. Shrimp dumplings had no taste except soggy. Turkey burger was dry and had no seasoning. Expensive waste.
(1)
Gipper R.
Arrived for early lunch. Sat on patio which has an amazing view. GF had the Tatar appetizer and said it was delicious paired perfectly with a glass of Brew Haha Pinot Grigio. I ordered the Fish and Chips. Their use of Maui Maui is an excellent choice, but they were a bit greasy still. The fries were so oily/greasy that they were unetable.
(3)
Chris M.
We stopped in the other night during Happy Hour and ordered two of the appetizers, the Bag O' Bonz (Hawaiian style baby back ribs) and Chipotle-Chicken Quesadilla. Both were outstanding and we enjoyed every bite. We also orded the cheese cake for dessert which exceeded our expectations. We never tried the main dishes, but I can attest to the quality of the appetizers. A real treat. We will definitely return!
(4)
Rick M.
So cool n comfortable right on the sand and water. Awesome. So far, once for happy hour and once for Sunday brunch. Mimosa's great, omellete great. Attentive service.
(5)
Ava L.
Great location. Great service. Delicious and fresh seafood! The only thing I did not enjoy about this restaurant was the steak. I know it is a seafood restaurant but you would think the steak would be good as well. There is a bar and outdoor seating on the second floor that is just beautiful to sit at. I would consider it family friendly, since a family did sit behind us. The light is dim enough for you to bring your family or consider going here for a date. I am an Oyster fan and they were amazing. I also had the Ahi Salad that was delicious.
(4)
Rachael R.
My husband and I met my stepdaughter and her boyfriend here over the weekend. The restaurant is beautiful, view is stunning, food excellent and service was above average. Reason only 4 stars - well we met for lunch and everyone had a sandwich so hard to give 5 stars based on what we selected for our entrees. First we started out with cocktails and wine....my stepdaughter had the mojita martini and it was perfect - I really loved that it was light on the mint as I hate when it overpowers the drink. Everyone else had either by the glass wines or mixed drinks and they were satisfying to all. While enjoying our drinks we all shared the shrimp dumplings and yellow-tail tartare. Both were amazing....the dumplings were swimming in a delicious port wine sauce - they were tender, filling and delightful! The Yellow-tail was fresh and tasty - thoroughly enjoyed the spice of the habarnero combined with the sweetness of the mango and stacking it on a crispy ginger wonton - well I could have had another order it was that good. For our main course I choose the Ahi sliders and this was a first! I love sliders but they are usually pork or beef. I wish all restaurants would offer this option.The Ahi was perfectly seared marinated in terriyaki topped with a mayo/wasabi sauce - they were incredible! Served with truffle fries which were light and not greasy. My husband had the Lobster BLT and he loved it as he loves Lobster, Bacon and Cheese and showing up as a trio! Well he was in heaven. My daughter had a tomato sandwich which she seemed to enjoy and both sandwiches came with cut fries in a cute brown bag - a nice touch. And her boyfriend had the Sea Bass in a white wine sauce, mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. His lunch went down fast! In fact, no one left a morsel on their plate so a sign of a good meal. This place is beautiful - the food is fantastic and the service was very good. If it wasn't over an hour drive I would be here every weekend - well maybe not every weekend but I would frequent it a lot!
(4)
Vic A.
Amazing good and staff! It was my wife's birthday and the manager Jeff sat us at VIP table with the most beautiful view! Norma was an awesome waitress. Very sweet and attentive! I had an amazing dinner with my beautiful wife!
(5)
David B.
We went here a few times, and only came back since we had out of town guests who wanted to dine right on the beach, so you could hear the waves, feel the sea breeze. Each time, we chalked off the experience as maybe an off day or night, but our experience has been consistently negative. One of the main problems is seating: they cater to expense account people, who order $100+ bottles of wine, and even though you reserved, or are waiting for, an outdoor table, sorry! The food's actually not that great, but the service is even worse. Wait staff are inattentive, not accommodating. I guess there's a high staff turnover: the wait staff seems to be poorly motivated, inexperienced kids. The ambiance is chaotic. Give this place a miss: eat elsewhere, and walk on the beach before dinner or after. Hint to the owners: a smart restaurant treats locals especially well - we're locals, and pointed this out to them - because we will be asked to recommend restaurants, and entertain out of town guests. It is locals who can support a restaurant when there are few tourists, during slow seasons, and will dine out on weekdays.
(2)
shelli p.
We're locals - and this is exactly what North County needed.....a chic, upscale hot spot right on the water. I've gone several times for a glass of wine with friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff has always been friendly, welcoming and helpful. The valet's always welcome us & show us to the door. PCG has made the most of the gorgeous water views with the use of natural stone, granite, high wood beams and floor to ceiling windows, exposing the Pacific Ocean. My husband and I went with another couple last weekend for dinner - and it was certainly enjoyable, with a couple of service exceptions. It took an inordinate amount of time between courses, and the waitress explained that they had a couple of large parties. In my opinion, restaurant should know to staff appropriately. Second, we were finishing our h'ors d'oeuvres - the servers were standing at our table trying to find room & push entrees onto our table. That is a big service no-no. The table should be fully cleared when everyone has finished, silverware replaced......then it's appropriate for entrees to be served. That being said, the food was fine. I wasn't overwhelmed, but honestly it was more of a casual night out with friends, and we wanted a cool, vibe-y place on the water in our area so it was fine. It's summer - and the place is new, but it'll calm down once all the tourists have gone home. We'll definitely be back. Good neighborhood spot.
(4)
Becca L.
We had a really lovely time celebrating our anniversary here. Everything was perfect for us. The service couldn't have been better - or nicer. The food was terrific. We ordered five things (crab cakes, heirloom and shrimp salad, salmon, Mahi Mahi and white chocolate bread pudding) and we'd get every single one of them again. I loved the interior design and layout of their new location. Every table has great ocean views. There's a fun bar/lounge atmosphere upstairs. $4 valet is very reasonable for beach dining.
(5)
Daenerys S.
Great Martini!
(3)
Ellen P.
Gorgeous place right on the water. Had a bunch of well poured, super expensive drinks and then sat down for a delightful dinner. I'll not a seafood person, but my friends raved about the shrimp dumplings in plum sauce. We also got the fillet mignon on a hot rock (way cool!). The bread was way too good and the meatloaf (if you're into Turkey meatloaf) was divine. I could see the waves crashing on the beach from my seat...truly a lovely Saturday night
(4)
Jenny S.
This was our first visit to the new location. We dined at 830pm on a Wed night. Our server, Casey, was a doll. She gave friendly, outstanding service and frankly all of the bus boys and other personnel were as likable. There was a sea lion tumbling around on the surf for our viewing pleasure so conversation about that held the evening. I came here craving the shrimp dumplings and they did not disappoint. The mixed greens salad was also very memorable. My hubby was also pleased with his meal. SERVICE gets 5 stars. Location gets 5 stars. The parking situation (Valet ONLY) and he seemed annoyed when we opted to bypass and find street parking (have had trouble with things being taken with other Valet). 2 STARS The bread pudding dessert...2.5 stars. I will say that I am very picky with my bread pudding. The best bread pudding is at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse with a whiskey cream sauce. This didn't even touch it. In fact, 2.5 stars was VERY generous. If I was in a worse mood I might have asked for it to be refunded--but I'm letting that slide. So all in all, we will be back.
(4)
Ron C.
Ok this place is awesome. You have to try the rosemary bread. It's the best I have ever eaten! And it's right on the ocean! The swordfish over garlic mash-potatoes is the bomb!
(5)
Rene S.
Was here for dinner twice. The prices do NOT reflect the wait staff. Very rushed and too expensive. Plates were cleaned away when we weren't finished. Still had fries and no ketchup. No one asked if we were done. Just whisked our food away. And for that we got a hefty bill.
(2)
Enrico A.
Came here lunch on Friday, 05/10/2013. Appetizers were very good. Lunch menu was typical "ocean restaurant" menu which was good. The ambience being on the beach on a beautiful day, could not be any better. I would definitely recomment this place.
(4)
De S.
Went here for a late lunch the VIEW was spectacular.. The food was Wounderful as was the service. Thank you Blake .. My spouse had the tuna tacos I had the special sushi both were tasty. The portions were good size for the value We definitely would eat here again.
(5)
Christie P.
Oh... my... god. We came here last night and it blew me away. For starters, it is in a great location and you have a great view no matter where you sit. We were able to watch the sun set and the surfers which was quite nice and relaxing after a chaotic workday. And, while we were afraid we were going to get turned away without having a reservation, they were able to seat us right away. We decided to share an appetizer and an entree and I'm really glad we made that call as the portions are really large. The bonus was that they even split them up in the kitchen for us in advance. Now that's service! Had the scallops and the crab cakes and was seriously smitten at first bite. I highly, highly recommend this place if one is looking for a good North County restaurant. It empties out pretty early but that's ok because it actually makes your dining experience more intimate.
(5)
J D.
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to dine at a restaurant in San Diego with attentive service!!! The wait staff and hostess are all very friendly and accommodating. The setting is just stunning - you are right on the water. And the food is very good. I will be back!
(4)
Kauveh S.
Man, the old location had such better food and service. My waiter messed up my girls order, and my friends girl order, and never gave us any bread with the meal. The old restaurant always had the best bread. The muscles were just decent as well. Crepes and cork cafe in Del Mar's muscles are much better if that has any merit. I mean the location was cool. We sat upstairs. I may give this place a second chance for dinner, as I was here for lunch. Got the Yellow tail stack and it as once again just OK. Little chewy on the fish as if it wasn't fresh. Once again, the ambiance is great but the food quality and service has gone way down from the previous Solana Beach location. Sorry.
(2)
ItalGal B.
Beautiful new modern and hip! LOVE IT! The old Charlie's needed to GO, it was shoddy and run-down (like the neighboring Beach House is these days). It's a fun place to eat whether you go on a date or meet up with a friend. A girlfriend and I sat outside with a friend and enjoyed the sunset, the food was great, the service pretty good, we hung out a long time and our waitress didn't rush us or make us feel bad. Total 2 thumbs up! Great addition to the area!
(5)
Jamie W.
Very poor service. Waited 20 minutes for a waiter to even acknowledge us. Food took even longer to arrive. Needed to change tables and the waiter did not even help us move our plates. Food was way overpriced. View is great and food ok.
(2)
Rosie K.
First time to PCG with my sisters and friends, we came for brunch Sunday right at 10:00 with reservations and we were seated immediately and got to choose a table! Service was a little slow considering we were the ONLY ones there but nothing went wrong, the food was delicious in spite of some picky people at our table. Then it got really crowded within the hour. Lobster tacos and lobster benedicts were to die for (2 of us got that). The capuccino was great too! Great view!
(4)
Alexia B.
Always guaranteed a good meal. Service is great, they are helpful and efficient, and my fave is to sit on the patio (on a Sat night to drown out the cougars) where they'll give you blankets and heat lamps if needed. My kids have a ball playing on the beach while we relax. And here's a tip: they have a separate gluten free and vegetarian menu. Ask for it if you need one!
(4)
Sumi A.
Amazing view from a table outside that felt like we were right on the beach. Unfortunately the food was just so-so. Shared several plates and they seemed to be overpriced for what you get and quality of food didn't match the price. A good place to take someone from out of town if they just want a great view and don't care so much about the food.
(3)
Jimmy H.
Fantastic food, drinks, and service. Thumbs up, especially if you're looking for excellent seafood and an ocean ambiance.
(4)
Melissa M.
I had lunch at Pacific Coast Grill because I was desperate for a coastal view for an out-of-towner I was entertaining and didn't want the usual boring Chart House/Beach House option. I did not have fond memories of PCG in Solana Beach but decided to give their new location a shot. And surprisingly, all of the food we had was terrific! Highlight was the ahi tartare stack with wonton crisps - it was perfect and beautifully presented. The view was terrific (duh) and the downstairs dining room was casual yet sophisticated. Probably won't return until I have another out-of-town guest who's yearning for coastal views, but I can say it was a solid experience.
(4)
Natalie M.
My bf was working in Encinitas and a customer recommended Pacific Coast Grill to us as we were leaving as a "cool date night" place. We decided to check it out and it was honestly one of the best meals that I've EVER had. I wish I could give them more stars. Bring cash because they only have valet parking ($4) and since it's on the 101 next to other restaurants, it's not easy to find other parking. They have outdoor/indoor seating both downstairs and upstairs. We decided to sit upstairs to get a good view of the sunset and inside because we just didn't want to wait. For starters we ordered a round of beers and the lava rock ahi appetizer. They bring it out to you raw with a heated rock so that you can sear your own ahi to your preference....AMAZING!! For dinner my bf had the fillet Mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus and I took the suggestion his customer and ordered the lobster tacos (50/50 corn and flour tortillas). Everything was just perfect and the lobster tacos were out of this world good. Beware, they come in a pot like a stew, but don't let that scare you away...nom nom. Honestly, the service was wonderful, the view was breathtaking, and the atmosphere made you want to hang out longer. It didn't hurt that the food was better than most high end restaurants in downtown SD.
(5)
Roger K.
I have been eating at PCG for over 8 years. They moved to beachfront location in Encinitas from Solana Beach. What a great location and modern decor. The food is always good. Dinner is twice as expensive as lunch is. Pretty much same menu. Lobster tacos are amazing and the bread pudding is probably the best I've had.
(5)
Izabela R.
Everything about this place is pretty spectacular. The decor is beautiful, the ocean views are insane, AND the food and service is awesome!! I've been here twice for lunch and the first time we sat downstairs. Came with a group of 7 and we all tried a variety of the sliders. Although little, they're fairly rich and filling, so come hungry! The way the whole place is set up, there isen't a seat without an ocean view, which is pretty great. The second time, we sat upstairs in a 'prfivate room' and it was gorgeous!! Colorful mosaic glass on the walls, and a big, sliding barn style door. Highly recomended if you have a party of 6-10, anymore, it would be too crowded. I tried the almond, goat cheese crusted tomatoe sandwich and added some bacon and it was to die!!! Came with fries served in a cute little brown paper bag. Everyone shared a few desserts, the chocolate mousse with Kona coffee ice cream=so yum!! The apple pie=yuuuummm!! And the bread pudding. That was ok. It wasn't a stand out bread pudding, but still good. PCG is worth the visit and I can't wait to bring out of state visitors here!!
(5)
Arnold R.
Excellent seafood ... the tuna tartare tacos were remarkably good. The mussels were rich and yummy. The seafood pasta with smoked tomato sauce was loaded with lobster and scallops and oh so good. The waitstaff was very attentive and helpful. I mentioned that one of the mussels had not opened and therefore I did not eat it ... before I knew it would happen, a whole second bowl arrived. And, of course, the view of the water is to die for.
(5)
Shawn F.
Super good food!! I love pacific coast grill the staff is friendly the view is awesome and the food is great! What's not to love? I've been here several times and have never been disappointed!!
(5)
Marian D.
7/14/13 The place was busy on a Sunday night. Service by waitress was good. Everything went well except the busboy would come to our table with his arms loaded with dirty dishes and then asked us to pile our salad plates on top. I thought this was a strange way to operate until he did it again when we had finished out dinner. Told us to pile our plates on top of his already heavy load. Has this place ever heard of trays and a dignified removal of dirty plates?
(3)
Seth B.
Great food and the wine selection is good too. The view and the scene is why we are all here of course so no need to gripe about parking. It's on one of the best strips of beach in san diego and the decor is gorgeous
(4)
Colleen C.
Pricey...yes! Worth it...YES!!! Two of the three of us (not I) had been before and chose it to celebrate our birthdays. Our service (read reviews and was prepared for bad stuff) was great from the valet guys to our reception and back to the parking! Mark, our server, had a smile for us each time he came to the table. My water was always filled (and that's five or six times...I'm a Pisces). Started with one Lobster Shrimp Chowder and three spoons. Smooth and hearty. I got the Coconut Shrimp Roll, the others Filet Mignon Sliders and Baked Oysters. The fries were lovely, however the housemade ketchup was a bit on the sweet side for me (I swoon for Heinz). The oysters were a bit lost in the dressing, but tasty. My rolls were good and I couldn't believe the plentiful platter! So here is the wrap up...HOLY YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS YELPERS!!! Too full for dessert but we got the White Chocolate Bread Pudding with three spoons (now, really, how could I resist???). I would not have ordered it based on the menu (but two stars extra for how we got two), but let me tell you...OMGOMGOMG!!! Oh, the view? Just OK...hahahaha!!! I LOVE SAN DIEGO!!!
(5)
Harry C.
I've been to the new Pacific Coast Grill three times in the past few weeks - twice with out of town friends and once on my own - and feel it's now time to finally write a review. As many others have written, the charm of the old Solana Beach location is long gone -- as is the menu, which was light years better than the new one. The biggest issue the new PCG faces is an ego problem; they think they're the new king on the block and for a semi-new spot, they're already operating as if they've earned their way to the top. Anytime something new moves in, there is a general sense of hustle. A wait staff that is welcoming, excited to have you and with everyone on their A-game trying to win your loyalty. This place is already operating as if they've been around a few years and that they're doing you the favor. First experience was on a Monday night a week or so ago. Rolled in for a semi-late dinner (by North County standards) - 8:30pm or so - and ate a top the patio deck. Great proximity to the ocean, but poorly lit. Couldn't read the menu and could barely see the food. Knocked back a few good bottles of red, shared a few apps and was a decent enough experience, minus feeling the heat to order up as the kitchen wanted to close. Really felt the heat to get moving, so we closed out and left. Went back for a late lunch with out of towners later that week and shared some apps in the bar. Another uninspired experience with the wait staff and this was where the overpriced menu was truly exposed. Tried the 'Surf and Turf Roll' - seared Kobe beef, lobster, avocado and spicy dragon sauce. Sounded amazing and for $19 expected something special. Meh. Miniscule slice of Kobe - so essentially $20 for a dollop of lobster / avocado and rice. 'Made-To-Order Guacamole' was solid ... but just about choked on a chip when we saw a $9 charge on the bill. (Honestly, $4 for twice as much guac at Fidel's, much better chips, killer red sauce.) Tried the Bag O'Bonz applewood smoked Hawai'ian style baby back ribs, which were good ... but the 'fresh-cut Kennebee fries' were cold and limp. Told a friend about the ribs, so ventured back there earlier this week, per his request. Arrived around 3pm only to find out that we could only choose menu items with a star next to them -- of which the Bag O'Bonz, Baja Fish Tacos and a slew of other menu items weren't offered. Settled on the PCG Burger, which doesn't hold a candle to any great burgers in town -- be it Rocky's, Hodad's, The Counter, etc. -- and again, fresh-cut Kennebee fries were cold and limp. Another major letdown; not being allowed to take in the view from the upstairs bar and outside second floor deck, which doesn't open until 5pm. Summertime in San Diego, you could throw a rock and hit the ocean -- and the best seats in the house are closed until sunset. #EpicPCGFail. The new PCG already needs an overhaul if they're going to last in North County as it has the unearned ego of the ChartHouse next store ... yet food that can't even hold a candle to the sub par, recently-closed-down Yogi's down the street. Looked forward to this grand opening forever but can honestly say, three strikes and you're out. I won't be back. No worse combination than high prices, average food and a wait staff / hostess that could care less whether you live or die. Honestly, as awful as the parking lot situation is there -- props to the valet guys who are the most accommodating folks in the building and actually hustle, smile and make you feel welcome. To the rest of you, enjoy this new phase while it lasts because if things don't change soon, you'll go the way of Yogi's -- another once-happening spot that moved coastal and face-planted. It's 2012 and even though there's money in North County, it's still a down economy and people have many options as to where they can spend their money. A $75 sit-down for an average lunch for two, a few beers and service without a smile? No thanks. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time and I'm Yelp-bound to share this tale with other locals in effort to steer them elsewhere. Honestly, someone else mentioned letting them "work the kinks out" -- but how do you work out kinks for bad service and an uninspired staff? Things are only going to get worse, not better. The two-star review breaks down like this; one star for food and a bonus pity star for the ocean view.
(2)
Jessica W.
Best ambiance in North County. The service was borderline awful. Food was ok. Not worth battling the crowds for true foodies!
(3)
Marc A.
The worst food and service, I have experienced in a long time. Tacos were a soup, should have been explained if so, burger was served with no condiments. I was treated as if I should now this. I would be fine if the burger had flavor. The server was never around to change what was wrong?
(1)
Erin G.
I had been to this location for a work event before it opened officially. I was super excited to come back and sit on the patio for drinks after work. We walked in the door and were told that the patio doesn't open till 5:00. We waited around an hour and half at the lower bar, went upstairs around 4:30 to secure a seat. At that point, the hostess wouldn't seat us on the patio because we were not dining, even though we would probably spend more on drinks than expected. Hostess' were rude, drinks are expensive, won't ever come back.
(2)
Jennifer R.
I'd been to PCG a couple of times for brunch with my girlfriends and both times were pleasant but not anything to yelp about. But my husband and I went for dinner this past weekend to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary and had a GREAT experience. We got there early for our reservation so we sat in the bar for a drink. My husband ordered a beer and as I asked him if I should have a mojito or a beer...the bartender David overheard and suggested a mojito. When does a bartender EVER recommend a mojito? Impressive. I'm just going to go ahead and say that David probably makes the best mojito in San Diego. Then our waitress was super sweet (unfortunately I didn't get her name) and our meal was AWESOME. My husband started with a Cardiff Roll and had the Lobster Tail and I had the Filet. Dinner was DELICIOUS. And then they brought out some sort of white chocolate/apple dessert (with a candle) on the house to congratulate us on 6 years of marriage. It was just a perfect evening. View is obviously amazing...right on the ocean. Highly recommend.
(5)
Lissa K.
Don't let the one star rating fool you. This place deserves a ZERO. My fiance and I wanted to be near the water and enjoy some drinks while we watched the Angels-Yankee game on Sunday. I called the restaurant to ask if they would have the game on and the hostess asked if it was on a "regular channel." I said yes, it was on TBS and she said that they would have it on. So we hopped in the car and headed down the freeway to catch the second half of the game. We pulled up to the valet and he greeted us with "do you have reservations?" We said that we were just there to watch the game in the bar. He said, "Sorry, its full." Huh? The bar is full? At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday? And if so, WHY in the world didn't the hostess tell us that when we called twenty minutes ago? We posed these questions to the adolescent valet and of course he had no answers. So now we had about 2 innings left in the game and we were still in the car. We called PCG and the above mentioned hostess answered the phone so we asked her why in the world didn't you tell us the bar was full when we called 20 minutes ago? She said, "It must have just filled up." So we asked to talk to the manager and were put on terminal hold. The hostess eventually said he was too busy to talk. I said, that's ok I'll save my feed back for Yelp. So there you go, San Diego. Steer clear of this place. Take your business down the road to the open air bar at the top of the Plaza in Del Mar. Gorgeous view and the bartender put the game on for us as soon as we got there. Classy, professional, and enjoyable. Everything Pacific Coast Grill is not.
(1)
Patricia J.
Ok...It's sounds like this place is a hit or miss! I have friends coming in from Chicago but I'm gonna have to pass until Management get's it together:( Plus it's seems it's becoming more of a pick up joint. Let's see what happens after Labor Day...
(2)
Alex S.
Really solid menu, ocean view dining. Make a reservation so you can valet your car. Nice bar. Need to try out more items on the menu. Bag oh Bones is pretty damn good. Not sure why some people are struggling to figure out parking. Maybe it's their first time trying to park at a restaurant on the 101 in Cardiff or they are just mentally challenged... to the moron who tried to park at 1 PM on a Sunday in the summer in Cardiff.... well, there is no helping you. Some tips. Park on the 101 south of Las Olas and walk, park on the 101 north of the restaurant and walk, make a reservation and use the valet, it's 4.00 before the tip. Or take a cab and not deal with trying to drive on the 101 with a couple drinks in you (this would be the smart thing to do). For those who don't want to deal with tons of people. Wait for the track to close, wait for summer tourist season to end and come on a mid week nigh in the fall. Again, great menu. Amazing view. 2 bars, 2nd floor and first floor, nice outside seating. Make a reservation, there is walk in seating but be prepared to drink a few and relax at the bar on busy night, its going to be a bit before you can sit down. Also, this is a high end place on the ocean in Southern California, expect to spend 50 - 75.00 per person on meals and drinks. If you want cheap. Bull Taco is up the road. ;)
(5)
Tatiana S.
Save your money and eat elsewhere! I drive by this place on my way to/from work so I have watched it take forever to build and open. I was excited to go there last night with a group of friends. We got there right at 5 when it opened and there was a line waiting to get in! We got some bar tables and ordered drinks and lots of apps. The drinks are expensive, I had a martini for $13, I think most wines were $9-$11 per glass. Here is what we ordered: Shrimp dumplings with port wine sauce - they were pretty good. Crispy cornmeal calamari - this was awful, it was so salty that I only ate 1-2 pieces, and I love calamari. Lobster and lump crabcakes - they were tasty and quite spicy, however, the dish was completely covered in "kimchee beuree blanc" sauce, so much that the crabcakes were literally sitting in a pool of it. nasty. White truffle fries - this was a specialty in the old PCG but again I found them quite garlicky-tasting and greasy. Shrimp cocktail - the shrimp were good but the cocktail sauce tasted like pure ketchup. Lobster chowder - this was awful. and cold. we sent it back. Some pros are that the location is sweet, amazing views, nice decor. great people watching. I mmight go back for some drinks but I doubt I will ever eat there again.
(2)
Tram L.
My new favorite coastal restaurant to bring family and friends for a nice, scenic cocktail or dinner. Fantastic views. The newly remodeled restaurant is beautiful. The menu is varied enough where most people will find something tasty to eat. Go at sunset for the best views.
(4)
Kimmy B.
So i came here for happy hour after a work function. All was well on the patio, cute place, great views... then the sun started to set.. you would think they planned the overhead shade thing to help out with the shade during sun down. A huge bummer that my group of 15 suffered. oh well i guess.. just food for thought. come prepared. Drinks were pretty creative. Apps were pretty dang good actually. We tried every app on the menu. all very great choices. 3 starts you ask? Havent had the main dinner here yet.. we will be back and review!
(3)
Jordan B.
I really liked the food at the old PCG. The new location is great, however, parking is awful and the valet situation is a cluster f*ck! The food was good except the steak. Don't get the cowboy ribeye!
(3)
Elisabeth K.
Really like the new location - view and interior. My favorite dish is the Ahi & Forbidden Rice entree. It is so good. I will come back again and again just for this dish
(4)
Nancy B.
Get the Short Rib Benedict.. I literally have dreams about it.. and our waitress was amazing with her cutest little british accent!! Loved it!
(5)
monique m.
Went to PCG right after they opened (about 3 years ago), and experienced the WORST SERVICE EVER!!! My husband and I swore we would never go back. Well, our friend really wanted to go for her birthday tonight so we decide to give PCG another try. Well surprise surprise service SUCKED AGAIN!!! Ordered a bottle of champagne that, other than the first glass, we had to poor ourselves. Told the server that it was our friend's 50th birthday, and despite a $400 bill, she got nothing!!! Not a birthday scoop of ice cream, drink, cupcake, NOTHING!!! Yes - we can see the ocean from where we're sitting, but I"m sorry - there is no excuse for poor service. I worked in the food service industry for years, and impeccable service is not that hard. Train your servers to treat your guests like they matter. I will excuse mediocre food if the service is spot on, but pretty good food and an ocean view does not make up for consistently sub par service. This time we're definitely NOT going back!!!
(1)
Jaina P.
The food was good, but not great. It was more rowdier than I expected. But the view made up for everything The view was amazing, right on the water. It would be gorgeous during the sunset for happy hour.
(4)
Debbie D.
Went for lunch the other day. It wasn't busy, but it took a good 5 minutes for us to even be acknowledged by a waiter. The guy who DID wait on us had an attitude and was borderline rude (that said, everyone else we encountered who worked there was great. Especially the valets!). The food was good. The ahi was fresh and my son's kid meal was huge! The sushi rolls weren't great-skip that. My buddy had a burger and said it was good. Go for the view and the ahi tacos.
(3)
Heather H.
I really love the view and food at the Pacific Coast Grill. Our service was very slow this time around, but I think their may have been a mix up at the hostess stand and it wasn't the server's fault. We sat outside near the back and what looked like a sort of make shift table. I would have preferred to be on the main patio, but the view was equally as beautiful. We will defiently be back.
(4)
Sally K.
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(1)
Randy B.
Atmosphere is great. We had a great view of the sunset. We had oysters to start and they were nice and fresh. We also had the bass for dinner which had nice flavors. I would definitely come again.
(4)
Brigitte H.
I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly the hostesses were even though it was somewhat difficult for us to find the perfect table, the sun on the deck was so hot and bright. By moving tables our server seems to have forgotten us. However, a friendly , super efficient other server came to the rescue. He quickly attended to us despite the fact that this was not his table to serve. We started off with half a dozen fresh BC oysters that were sweet and fabulously delicious. I had the seared Ahi with forbidden rice. Perfectly prepared! My husband had the angel hair pasta with lobster, the flavor was incredible, perfectly prepared with a hint of lemon , fresh Parmesan and fresh pepper. What a feast, while enjoying a most beautiful sunset.
(4)
Beck P.
We were there on Aug 8 and had a wonderful experience. We were staying in Oceanside but were looking for somewhere to dine right on the water, believe it or not there are not that many places right on the water and all are pricey. I picked Pacific Coast Grill because of the view and the menu. I made a reservation and asked to be outside on the deck. When we arrived they sent us upstairs and said they were just waiting for the people to leave (they had already paid the check) and that we should have a drink at the bar. The place was busy, atmosphere is fun, chic casual, the bar was filled with 30-something sand there were no bar stools but the bartender took our drink order very quickly and tried to engage us in a little friendly conversation. After a 5 or so minutes the girl came to take us to the table and it was a two top on the edge of the deck right in front of the door going in and out. I didn't like the location of the table and told her we would be okay waiting for a different table to open up, she said that would be fine. We waited maybe 10 more minutes and she seated us at a fabulous table right up against the glass, right over the crashing waves. They bring a basket of bread and it was tasty and then we both had a Caesar salad. The salad was nice sized, fresh and cold and the dressing was good. My husband had the Seafood Pasta which has Scallops, Shrimp, Lobster, Mahi and is served with Linguine. The Scallops were cooked perfectly and so were the Shrimp, there were only two pieces of Lobster but he really didn't expect a lot. The sauce was good and the portion was just right. I ordered the Margarita Braised Short Rib with Blue corn polenta....oh my gosh, it was SOOO good. Cooked just right, falling apart and the flavor of the polenta was outstanding....it was one of the best things I ever had....maybe second only to the Fresh Crab Cocktail at Maestro's in Newport Beach. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, the view was amazing. The prices are bit high but for this type of restaurant and location it was less then most of the others in the same category. We would definitely return if in the area.
(4)
P M.
We went there for my husband bday for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by the great view, delicious food, pleasant waiters, and good Sevice. We will be back for sure and highly recommend it.
(5)
Jake M.
Had dinner here last night. Waiting staff was very attentive. We decided to eat outside. It was a little cold so they move a heater and got us blankets. Everything we ordered was great. It's pretty cool to have dinner.
(5)
nottellinya a.
Pretty bad. Stepped in there and were asked where we would like to sit. We had the audacity to request upstairs, which confused the people at the front as to why we wouldn't just go upstairs? This is our first time here, that is why. It is not normal to just wander around a restaurant when there are people right in front of the door waiting to ask where you want to sit. Nice view, sat outside. Server was prompt, impersonal but I don't mind that. However, I do expect basic manners such as punctuating requests to me with a simple 'please'. Food was a let-down. Ordered the lobster tacos. What I got was a small pot of lobster broth, plopped on some black beans, with four tortilla folded on the side. I didn't order crap fajitas, nor did I order DIY tacos, I ordered tacos. You figgin make them, or at least tell me that I am going to have to! The lobster was OK. The ahi salad was ok. The margarita was alright, too much ice, not that they asked me how I would like it, I had to pull them back to tell them. The only impressive point was when I saw a busser go out of his way to pick up some garbage that he had spotted and he could easily walked by it. Props. The view is great, but the place is not. I will not return. Parking is $4 for valet, or $6 for the public one or you can park for free on the beach and then walk. No big deal. You must order food to sit outside, I don't think this is a problem. Time-wasters are to blame.
(2)
Brendan F.
I get it when your at a place like this you pay for the view, but come on guys the food was crap. I ordered a lobster taco and they gave me a bowl filled with boiled shit. Go here for happy hour and buy high price drinks coupled with the pacific, but don't expect a good meal
(1)
Jason C.
Great view but the staff and management is a bit confused. I was told multiple times 'the patio is entree service...blah blah blah...' it was 430PM and there was NO on there and we were continually brow beaded for ordering apps vs entrees...not real good at math but im pretty sure that $115 bill is more than most entrees with no drinks and water...over all i'd rather just get a 6 pack of IPA's and sit on the rocks below the deck with a sandwich vs be told 'people normally order entrees...' I usually tip 20-25% on checks but i made an exception on this on....
(2)
Barbara S.
I was very disappointed with this meal, while I understand we are paying for the view, the food should taste good with those prices, especially when competing with the high end restaurants, Market, Pamplemousse, Mille Fleur...etc. We have been going to the previous location for years, and the lobster tacos were always so yummy, the ones we had last night were so watery and had no flavor. They also forgot to include the beans that the menu says it comes with so the server brought them on the side. Definitely not the experience we had hoped for. And based on last nights experience we would definitely not go back.
(1)
debbie g.
This place is AMAZING! Not only is the food fabulous, but the decor, ambiance, and VIEWS are fabulous. FIVE star all the way. I went her for a birthday lunch with my hard-to-please mom and we both LOVED it! I'm going back again very soon. Definitely a destination for locals and an impressive spot for visitors , too! It is a little pricey, but money well spent.
(5)
Karla H.
We came here for our 4 year anniversary back in April, don't judge, I've been busy, Any how... We came and were not disappointed! We ordered the yellowtail tartare stack for an appetizer and I had the crab crusted mahi and the fella had the pan seared sea bass... Both were amazing. I found a pin bone in mine just as the manager happened to walk by, he was mortified. Super apologetic and offered a free desert for the error. We enjoyed everything we had and will be back to try the sushi.
(5)
Gary G.
Fast becoming a coastal favorite. Magnificent view,especially the lower patio, and great service. Everything on the menu has been fantastic. Love the lobster tacos, truffle fries are a must. The margaritas are the bomb, especially the blackberry. You'll love it!
(5)
An L.
Awesome! Lobster Carbonara was d-lish. Great service, great food and great view! A bit pricey, but I'm a fan! Also, you HAVE to valet. Parking is dismal - $5
(4)
Banu K.
um, not the best experience for round two. the whole fam (2 older kids, hubs) came for sunday brunch. we were the only ones seated upstairs for a bit as the place was dead (beautiful views though!) we weren't served a wine menu, even though i love wine! (others were, btw, so i noticed this and it wasn't nice.) hubs and i had the house white sangria, which was delish, a little steep for $10. kids had OJ. i ordered coffee, never got a spoon to stir the cream, so i used my fork nicely. daughter ordered the sweet potato pancakes. soft. delicious. cinnamony. itty bitty ramekin of syrup, needed more for 3 huge pancakes. son ordered off the verbal kids menu, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, pancakes. basic. did the trick for him. i ordered the cardiff reef roll, i've had it before. no chopsticks served, and no one came back for me to ask. when i asked, it still took him over 5 minutes to get it even though the family was basically done eating it. hubs ordered the surf and turf roll. he comes back in 10 minutes (no food yet), and tells hubs "the kitchen doesn't have the surf and turf roll available because they don't have the ingredients. ummm. why is it on your brunch menu. and i'm pretty sure we are the first two or three people here this morning at 10:30am, so there's no chance you ran out of kobe beef already? no acceptable, he should have warned us way before, or simply taken off of menu that clearly states "sunday brunch menu". not the best service. a little 'sorry' gesture would have been nice, but nothing. a very loud table got seated next to us with a drunk girl already. just all around not so much fun. $100 later, i'm not sure i'll be back. it was turning out to be a fave of mine! should i give it another chance?
(2)
Marji E.
This was my first time dining here. We arrived early and got a great table. Our server was excellent and attentive. Every course was delicious. The Parmesan truffle French fries are to-die-for. I had a scallop special, delish. My friend had the mahi mahi, it was paired with a caramely sauce that was out of this world. All in all, a great experience. All the support staff were excellent as well.
(5)
Rhondi S.
Love the new contemporary look and feel. Excellent fresh seafood Flavors and dinner options. Great bar to hang out in, great appetizers, excellent service and pretty ocean views.
(4)
Jeremy M.
The restaurant is charming and the setting overlooking the ocean is tremendous. You have to valet but that is part of having an upscale restaurant right there on the beach. Our server was very engaging and responsive and the service was good. The food is good but not great--they can get away with that because of their location. The calamari was so overly breaded it was crazy. What I liked was that the waitress was so open for feedback and said that the restaurant takes ALL feedback they can get and works hard to continually improve. The kids enjoyed running around at the beach and playing nearby while we waited for our food. So that was a big plus. In my opinion, this restaurant has 3-star food with a 5-star view. Last year we ate at the Beach House next door and I thought this was a step up all around.
(4)
Natalie F.
"The food was amazing, but the views top it all!"
(5)
Trish S.
Random Date Night: Also known as nights when I refuse to make the dining selection. Being of a certain level of yelpness, when anyone within a 50 mile radius of me is hungry-I provide useful, funny, cool recommendations: Which I love to do.(Elite CM status say whaaa??) But on date night? That's the BF's problem, I'm just here to look pretty. We braved the valet clusterfreakedyf-ing craziness to try the PCG. This is a nice place, I think they thought, "it's so nice, people will beam down from heaven to dine here, we don't need parking." But that didn't really work out, therefore, they hired a slew of polite young men (sometimes on skateboards? wowza) to maneuver those Mercedes to and fro with the greatest of ease. Tip your valet people, it's a tough gig. Tis the price you pay for beachfront dining too, so get over it. We strolled in sans reservation, also a no no at this place but when you're dating a lucky Irish chick as my BF happens to be, a bit o' luck rubs off on you, and we snagged a spot in the bar no problem-o. (if you're not super lucky, like lucky charms lucky, don't even try this, it's a busy joint) I had an absolutely delicious mojito to settle in. The service was slow however, it took awhile for the waitress to acknowledge us (she was chatting with some people for awhile) and once ordered, my drink was really slow in making it's way to my awaiting hands. The views are lovely and distracted us, there is patio dining, and an upstairs section that is stunning. The BF, with his logical engineer-type mind, noticed so many subtle details. The flooring for one, and the slick bar. The construction on this place took awhile, but worth it. We started with a fresh and tasty sushi roll with salmon and mango, the nights special, and they make it right in front of you in a section of the bar. Always nice! The timing of the meal was a bit off, rather than too slow now was a bit too fast (food stacking up pretty quick) The bread basket was warm and tasted just baked-yum yum! BF enjoyed a bowl of the lobster/shrimp chowder: He really liked that. I tend to stalk new menu's and I knew from the moment we pulled in that I was ordering the Mahi Mahi, crusted with cornbread and shrimp, on a bed of VANILLA RICE. Now, it's not like a risotto, it's almost like they infused the water they boiled the rice in? I'd say coconut milk, but it was distinctly vanilla? But it's not really that creamy-anyways, officially my favorite thing I've eaten in awhile. Amazing amazing, I dream of it at night. Turkey meatloaf for the giant man, he enjoyed it. In fact he said it was as good as the one I make ( well, huff!) No dessert, just coffee for us both, and again, the service wasn't quite 5 stars as our server never checked back with us for coffee refills. I totally plan on going back and I'm sure as they settle into their well deserved prime location, they'll be 5 stars in no time. Try it for an upscale coastal dining experience.
(4)
Michael H.
Fantastic! Great service, great patio, try the margaritas!!
(5)
Pat J.
Excellent food from an eclectic menu served promptly by courteous staff. Super view of the ocean! Thanks for a great meal!
(4)
Michael R.
I normally give a restaurant either a 5star review, or a 1 star with not too much middle ground. We came for my daughter's 21st birthday last night and we weren't that impressed so have to go for 3 stars. We were seated and got drinks. My daughter finished hers and we had to wait another 5-10 minutes to see the waitress to order another one. (it's her 21st Birthday and she WANTED to have a few drinks!) The non-alcoholic drinks were served in very small glasses (as the mixed alcoholic drinks were) and they were empty for at least 10 minutes also. We tried the truffle fries and Shrimp Dumplings for appetizers. The Shrimp dumplings came with only 4 and although the sauce was great, we were unimpressed overall. The truffle fries were thin-cut and came in a small super-greasy paper bag!? The flavor was fairly decent, but they should serve 2-3 sauces with them. Then the Baja Wedge salad was not that great, and then entree's. We had the baby back ribs, the short ribs, and the Pacific Paella. The ribs were decent, but I wasn't that impressed with the Paella. The kids topped it all off with the Tempura Banana split and it was good. After reading the other reviews, and considering the pricing, ($27-29 for entree's) we expected a lot better service and food. The views are fantastic, but the food didn't live up to many of the 5 stars reviews I had read prior to coming. The bill came out to just over $200 without tip and 2 of us didn't drink alcohol. For that kind of money (on a MONDAY), I would rather spend 10% more and eat at Donovan's or somewhere else where service AND food is a #1 priority.
(3)
Gwen S.
Had a wonderful meal with good service. Blackberry margarita was excellent, raw oysters fresh and the passion fruit mignonette was to die for. Will be back!
(4)
Jessica R.
Location, location, location. You cannot beat the view at this place and the food is not half bad either. I had the sashimi ahi salad which was fresh and delicious. The table ordered chips and guacamole which were very good. Everyone in my party enjoyed their meals. This place is pricey so be prepared to drop some dollars but it is to be expected as it is a seafood restaurant right on the beach. The service was very good. I dropped a star because I wish they had a happy hour and I probably would frequent more often.
(4)
Taylor D.
Pacific Coast Grill, you're alright. You fit the mold of the restaurants that surround you. But excuse my grammatical error of starting a sentence with "but", but I need you to not get too carried away with the tomato sauce in my seafood pasta next time. Granted everything I ate here was overall a successful mission to Mars for my statebuds, well with the exception of using more rice on your sushi rolls than....well I can't really think of a funny analogy that has to do with an overabundance of rice, but if I did it would pretty darn funny! Anyhow, the seafood pasta I had was absolutely fresh, I mean so fresh that I think I saw Aquaman crying over how many sea animals were dead, steaming mixed in my noodles. You know what gets a big tip for me? Frequent and attentive refills of my beverage. I'm a thirsty fellow, whether it be for blood, libations, Juicy Juice, Capri-Sun, Iced-tea, or even the occasional glass of water! The waitress I had was an absolute saint of a beverage refresher-er(?). I mean, like with all waitresses they get over it and give me two extra glasses of iced-tea as backups, but thats here nor there! Round of applause and a golf clap for my dining experience, Pacific Coast Grill.
(4)
texas a.
Myself and two buddies went here after the Races on Sunday. The good: Sat in the bar at a table and the girl serving us was excellent. She stayed on top of everything and made eye contact as she passed our table to make sure we didn't need more beers etc. We asked her for hot sauce and she offered us 3 choices. We asked her for bread and she said no problem. I asked for the tab and it was there in a mater of seconds - great service and hats off to the girl working the downstairs bar tables on Sunday. The bad. 1. When a customer pays $27.00 for "Lobster Tacos", they better blow my mind and they sure as hell better be lobster tacos. There was no blowing of the mind here and what I got was some sort of do-it-yourself, strange lobster in a french onion bowl tacos. Lobster chunks in stewed tomatoes and broth with tortillas on the side is not what anyone coming to Pacific Coast Grill wants when they order lobster tacos. 2. Don't put a bowl of anything on top of a bowl/plate of black beans - its a bad plating move. I can hear Robert Irvine asking "why is this bowl sitting on top of these beans? Is the customer supposed to dig around the bottom of a dish to get to their food? take that out of there and don't do it again." the bottom of one dish should never be in the food of another dish. Think about it - do you want something that's been sitting on a shelf or being handled sitting in your food? of course not. My advise - Just make Lobster tacos: tortillas LOADED with lobster (go ahead and take half a grilled lobster tail, dunk it in some butter and plant it right on a hot corn tortilla) and a nice slaw on top. BIG FAT LOBSTER TACOS LOADED WITH LOBSTER AND SLAW. On the side a big fat portion of those truffle fries. There - now you just made everyone happy who comes to Pacific Coast Grill and orders the first entree listed on the menu.
(2)
Joe Y.
Gorgeous place to have a meal and drinks. The restaurant gods smiled on us as we came off the sand, bypassed an hour long waiting list to find seats in the bar. There is a lot of seating in the bar and the service is great. Our party of four indulged in their huge beer, wine and spirits list for a while until we decided to eat dinner. I loved the seafood paella because it was a hardy portion of rice jam-packed with seafood. A small but juicy lobster tail, muscles, shrimp and scallops abundantly accompanied the saffron rice. The views of the water are incredible and there is parking along the street as well as valet services. I will definitely return next time I am in town.
(5)
Rich C.
Upon arrival Valet (no choice) was decent. A little backed up and a lot going on. Not their fault. We walk in and I feel like there are too many hostesses and not so good communication as our waitress started walking to our table without us knowing she was for us. However, we were sat promptly at our reservation time at a window to the beach... And this place was buzzin. Only 3 short minutes before water was brought to us; Great considering how nuts it was. Our drinks came 12 minutes after we ordered. Another good display. Our waitress Chrissy was attentive and suggestive from start to finish. Calamari out fast, Mahi Mahi (her order) was great but the sauce only ok (apple cider soy butter) and the rice.. Eh. My Filet - fantastic! Perfectly cooked. Asparagus and mashed was insane in the (peppercorn brandy sauce). Chocolate custard surrounded by a scoop each of coffee ice cream was amazing! Good ambience--- Soft reggae. Almost two total hours there. All in all--- good dining experience. Culinary wise-- I'd have to say Jakes Del Mar is better. Just how it is.
(4)
Aswang L.
Good food, beautiful view. Service could be better, tends to run on the slow side. Parking is limited, so your choices are: park and pay at the state beach, run for your life from across the street or use valet. I suggest valet for $4.
(3)
Angeline G.
View is amazing, as is any restaurant on the coast. We had reservations at 5pm, which was outside. She recommended that there is a table available upstairs right by the window and the view is just as fantastic. So we decided to take that. We walked upstairs and was immediately greeted. She lead us to our table and the sun was just setting..so beautiful. We ordered the Yellowtail tartare as an appetizer, it was okay needed a little more salt. My boyfriend ended up ordering the Turkey meatloaf, which had a strange texture almost like mushy meat. It was good, but a turn off on the texture. I ordered the Hawaiian style beef short ribs...WHOA, I didn't realize it was going to be a RACK of short ribs- definitely will be some left overs. Valet is an option for $4 dollars or you can park on the street. This place is highly recommended, especially if you want a beautiful view of the sunset.
(5)
Amanda I.
Excellent food and service. Tried the bag of bones, calamari, sushi and Kung pao lobster and steak. One of the best meals I have ever had. View of the ocean was beautiful as well. Only complaint was it was a little loud.
(5)
Mitzi M.
After we having a disastrous, gross meal. We went to OLD faithful PCG. ALWAYS GREAT FOOD, amazing service and stunning views. Well worth the prices, always a great meal prepared with creativity, always a safe bet for deli it's food and friendly, courteous service!
(5)
Renee M.
I just got back from a big work birthday lunch and decided to write my review while everything is fresh! There was about 9 of us and when we go out, it's so loud and rambunctious :l Luckily, the girls who took care of us were super nice and patient, I had to say thank you a hundred times to show that we were grateful even though my coworkers didn't make it seem that way! My chicken quesadilla was good! It's a shame I filled up on bread before. THE BREAD! SO GOOD! Yummy rosemary butter too! The quesadilla had corn in it- kind of gross. I could barely taste it but I hate corn, so next time I'll ask for it without. My coworkers had, (and yes I went around like a loser and took pictures of it all): Seafood pasta- she loved it. Said the seafood in it was way better than the pasta and it was impressive how large the fish was! All the sushi rolls off the menu were ordered and they all said they were great. Bag of Bones- I heard it was decent, it looked yummy to me! Surf and Turf Burger- HUGE. Oh my gosh it was huge. Looked incredibly filling, I heard it was very delicious. Lots more was ordered, the Parmesan fries, mimosas, a bottle of Shiraz! We all were very please with everything we ordered! The view is worth a trip to dine. I saw something upstairs but I didn't get to go investigate, I'm guessing it's another bar. Everyone who worked there had great style haha, they all were outgoing and friendly. I guess to end this thing, my advice would be to go for lunch- wasn't as crowded on the patio and the view was beautiful. Would be a great spot to bring out of towners. The price wasn't too awful, but you get what you pay for- fresh quality food. I will be back!
(4)
Tina T.
Great restaurant for bringing out-of-town guests. The restaurant sits right on the beach. Contemporary, Casual, California cool. Friendly staff. Delicious food and even better libations. I will be returning! Thanks PCF for such a wonderful dining experience!
(5)
Bella V.
Over $100 per person, one entree and one drink each, shared appetizer and shared dessert, The most greasy food in town! Extremely overly priced for the extremely poor quality and selection. The two stars are because the view is quite amazing, if not for the view I would give 5 minus stars. We started with the appetizer "Sashimi Grade Ahi Wonton Taco" which dripped in frying oil. Really gross and not edible. I left them all and the waiter did not even ask why I did not eat them, maybe they know, or are more interested in selling drinks..... The entrees were similarly unappetizing as the cook, I cannot use the word chef, tries to be creative by mixing flavours and textures that really do not fit well together (mushrooms, fish, who knows what else). Their "creations"s taste like the cook bought some food at a close-out, and tossed it together thinking it would pass for fancy. There are so many good seafood restaurants and many places with gorgeous views, save your stomach and go somewhere else!
(2)
Alisa M.
WOW WOW WOW. Wine reduction on shrimp dumplings. WOW WOW WOW. I could put that stuff on an old shoe and it would be devine. You can't beat the view here either. My hubby had the Cowboy steak which is an 18 oz ribeye. Perfectly cooked. The sides, potatoe fingerlings and bacon wrapped asparagus make for a hearty meal. I would never have been able to finish it off but my husband was so in love with it he couldn't put his fork down. The missing star is because they don't offer happy hour. Total bummer for sure but I will be back for the port wine reduction. I don't care what they put it on I'm gonna eat it!!
(4)
Micah P.
This place was okay. The only unique thing about this place was the view. We were hoping for the Beach House, but it was closed down for remodeling. We were trying to find a nice brunch and mimosa restaurant on the beach somewhere. We decided on this place because it did have a brunch menu. The mimosas at this place were ridiculously overpriced. at about $10 a glass. The food that came out was mediocre and no fresh muffins or fruits were offered for brunch, as we've grown accustom to at the Beach House. I ordered the calamari, which cost $11, and was nothing special. It was bland and I've had better at other restaurants. The wait staff were not very good. Our server was nice, but was too spacey and goofy. It seemed like she smoked one too many joints before work. And the other wait staff members acted like angry over-worked mothers. Not one of them smiled and gave the look of death to our waitress when she said something smart ass to her. This place seems to discriminate against people who are not wealthy. My friends asked about happy hour specials they scoffed at us and told us they didn't need to do that. I have asked this question before there and got the same answer and attitude, basically saying to keep my cheap ass at home. I don't think I will return to this place. The parking here is near impossible unless you do the valet (which is like $4). The food was good but not worth the price and the staff needs some training in customer service.
(3)
Neal A.
1. Great views, can't take that away from this establishment. 2. Our server was awesome. You could tell that he had some fine dining experience, in the way he conducted himself. He was a younger guy, who was laid back but very on the ball. If I were to return, I would 100% sit in his section. 3. Im a big dude, and the chairs on the patio are not at all made for big guys. I actually asked them to get me a different chair, because I felt like a sardine crammed in a tin. The cool thing was, that our server brought me a different chair immediately and told me that this was a frequent issue. 4. The appetizers were quite delicious, with the exception of the fries which were a bit limp and under seasoned. On the contrary, the fried calamari was awesome, crispy, crunchy, the calamari itself was a perfect texture, fresh, soft and not chewy in the least bit. I would go back just for the calamari. The two rolls we ordered were the Cardiff Reef and the PCG. Im not really a sushi roll guy, but the two we ordered were pretty darn good, and I am a bit of a sushi snob. 5. The reason I didn't give Pacific Coast Grill a 4 star review is based on my wife's and I main fish dishes, the Sous Vide Alaskan Halibut and the Pan Seared Sea Bass. My sous vide halibut was on the dry side, and that entirely defeats the point of it being cooked sous vide! My crab risotto, had no sign of crab in it, and the overall flavors were underwhelming at best. My wife's sea bass suffered in very similar ways, and they were both a big disappointment. Neither of us came even close to finishing our main courses. On a positive note, my buddy that had the lobster tacos seemed to be quite content, and my other friend who ordered the lobster bacon carbonara (which was hardly a carbonara and more of a creamy Alfredo type preparation) was thrilled with the copious amounts of lobster. 6. Due to the overall experience, I want to return to PCG and give it another try. I had dined with them in their previous location, but I understand they have a new chef now. Give this place a try, it has many good qualities and a great atmosphere. I am hoping to have a more well rounded experience on my next visit.
(3)
Abby W.
I'm giving Pacific Coast Grill three stars and that's mainly for the view and ambiance. For the past three years, my boyfriend and I have regularly visited the Beach House next door. When we found out last weekend that it was closed, we scrambled to find a suitable replacement and ended up checking out Pacific Coast Grill. Compared to the Beach House, there's no denying that PCG has the advantage on decor. It's very nicely decorated and everything looks clean and fresh. We sat upstairs on the covered patio and enjoyed a lovely view of the ocean. There are ample heaters to keep you warm on a cool day but we were surprised that they were blasting on an 80-degree day too. We actually had to request that the one next to us be turned off. My boyfriend and I were looking for a light meal and ended up choosing two appetizers. I ordered the truffle fries as I have a weakness for all things potato and he chose the calamari. Unfortunately, I was less than impressed with my fries. I've eaten truffle fries at other restaurants and became obsessed with them. If this had been my first encounter with truffle fries, I likely wouldn't be interested in trying them again. The fries had a funny flavor that I can't quite put my finger on and the ranch dressing that I requested as a side was also less than ideal. On the plus side, the quantity was a good amount but I just had no desire to eat them all. I'd return if they offered some sort of brunch special, like the Beach House used to, but I likely won't be back otherwise. The menu is a bit too pricey for the quality of the food.
(3)
Tam D.
2nd time in 2 weeks...I love this place with Ocean/Sunset view, especially in summer on the clear sky!!! Outside seats should be preferred on top floor...What a coincident that we have the same server/waitress; and she is super good on service and recommending...Try several dishes from hot starters to on and offshore. All are good; but preferably better that I have chosen to my appetite: Appetizer: 1. Dungeness Crab Cakes with seared scallops, roasted corn, jalapeno-hollandaise & crispy potatoes...DAMN GOOD 2. Oaxaca Roll Kobe beef, chipotle crab, shishito peppers, crème fraiche, mole sauce & tortilla strips (well, they said Kobe beef; but I do not think it is legitimate-(As usual advertising by many restaurants). Best bet may be American Kobe...LOL Entries: 1. Sesame-Crusted Seared Ahi coconut forbidden rice (xôi np than-yummy, ngon không th tng), beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter 2. Coriander-Orange Wild Salmon heirloom squash, fire roasted artichokes & blood orange reduction Desserts: Tempura Banana Split. It is a five stars...Only one place that I gave 6: my wife did it!!! LOL Will be back again!!!
(5)
Michaun M.
Love this place. Great views and great to bring guests.
(5)
Tatiana G.
Beautiful ocean view, great and delicious food. Fast service. Great place for lunch with friend
(5)
Tipton H.
If it's ocean view, a friendly, staff, and good seafood this is the place. March 16th was our 47th anniversary and I had asked for a good table. The table for two center upstairs was perfect. Our waiter was more than friendly and allowed us the time and space between cocktails, appetizers, salads, and entree's to enjoy our special occasion and a glorious sunset. We'll go back! P.S. The ahi taco appetizers are to die for!
(4)
Laura D.
Absolutely fab meal with my lawyer friend Rita. Beautiful day, ocean view, sorta noisy but oh well. Nice, friendly services, comfy booths. We both had the mixed greens salads which were crispy and fragrant with just the right amount of dressing and blobs of bleu cheese. Really a treat. I had been wanting to try the filet and lobster enchiladas and was I ever glad I did! One with steak, one with lobster, with beans, rice and salsa. Very upscale version. Absolutely delicious light creamy sauce on top. Wow. What a dish. Will be back for this again. Rita had the lobster tacos. She loved them, and the flavor was good, but I don't like having to make them myself. They serve the lobster filling in a little bowl. It's very drippy, and you have to put the lobster stuff into the tortillas. Very messy. But Good. Love this place.
(5)
Millie K.
Food and service was fabulous! Met friends for dinner... We took our time ordering drinks, appetizers, and our meal. Waitress was attentive, checked back to clear plates, allowed us time before asking if we were ready to order next course.. Making it a fabulous memorable experience! The ocean. View to see the sunset was icing on the cake! OHHHHH and the desserts.. Mmmm!
(5)
Noah S.
We had the most amazing meal The wine selection is incredible So many kinds of wines from up AND down the west coast No wines from the East coast shockingly ? Next we had the cowboy steak and the chilean sea bass Yum!! I asked for my steak to be grey and chewy and deep fried just like the original cowboys ate But they refused They would only make it succulent and flavorful Oh well The fish was also good , it in fact was kickass sea bass but i couldn't tell how they knew what country it was from ! Next we ordered tiramisu ! Good luck trying to get that but no dice I begged Blake M our waiter man with dimples to please demand the chef whip something up Finally he relented and brought out some family secret recipe bread pudding! Yum! Ill tell you what the secret is! Its NOT tiramisu !!! Blake M is great and even tried to steal my lady friend right in front of me and i almost let him HES that smooth J.B. Smoove in fact ! Be sure to ask him about the largest cattle ranch in the USA & his favorite Brad Pitt & Tom Cruise & Christian Bale movies! He's a good kid & seems excited about finally renting a car someday!! &make them Get some dang Tiramisu!
(5)
Natasha K.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Good place for dates, friends, and family. We came for Easter brunch, they had a great selection of items.
(5)
Christine P.
I hate wasting money and this was a waste of money. Great location, decent service, but not very impressed by the food. After visiting their website we made the drive for a specific dish; we discovered about 30 minutes after being seated that it's only available during dinner. No exceptions. Ok so we moved to plan B: lobster and crab burger for my husband and a lobster bacon sandwich for me with their lobster and shrimp chowder to start. Everything was lack luster and bland! On top of everything else they were slow and not baby friendly (no changing tables!) by the time we got served, we could have had the meL we went for! We will never be going back!
(2)
Rita H.
This place is fantastic! It's literally located on the beach and the view is fantastic! I, mean, sure, parking is limited but at just $4 you can save yourself the hassle of circling for a spot and just valet your car. And speaking of valet, their service is awesome...super friendly and speedy and no dilly dallying. Now let's move on to the real reason you're here yelping this place, the food. I got the ahi tuna salad and can honestly say that the ahi tuna, seaweed and mango came together to create the perfect symphony of flavors. My tastebuds were dancing! It was so refreshingly delicious, I'd definitely come back for it!
(4)
Steven M.
My family an I went for my birthday dinner. 7/20/15 I made reservations two week before. We had a small wait to get the table I wanted. Great drinks and the food was wonderful for all five of us. My family thanked me for finding the Pacific Coast Grill. We all want to come back again next year.
(5)
Michelle H.
I went back for another brunch and our server was great and the valet guy was super friendly and laid back. I think I made better food choices this time, it was good and better than last time but I still don't think it was great. I am way more likely to go back than I was after my first visit though, I mean you just can't beat the location and view, I just wish they didn't rely on that to get people into the restaurant.
(4)
Jeff M.
Had friends in town that had never been to the area and I was looking for a nice place to take them for lunch that would represent the area well. Pacific Coast Grill fits the bill. Understanding that they can get busy during normal eating hours and having the flexibility to go when we pleased, we arrived after the lunch rush (around 2pm) on a Tuesday and had no issue with being offered immediate dinning both inside or out. The ocean front view is worthy of the additional price of the meal (this ain't no Micky D's). The lunch menu was adequate and if you stay within your boundaries (one drink), you can walk out of there for about $100 for a party of 4. It does cost $4 to valet as mentioned previously but if you want to walk before or after your meal, you can cheap it out and find free parking elsewhere if time permits. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals (1-local wrap, 2 - veggie burgers and a seafood cob salad). We stayed about 2 hours and never felt rushed to leave so it was an enjoyable experience for all of us. We found our server to be low key and had a nice dry sense of humor. Front desk and valet were both very pleasant. We will definitely be back.
(5)
J T.
What is not to like? On the beach, great views, relaxed atmosphere and good food. Actually the Ahi tuna with ponzu reduction, black rice and tiny mushrooms was phenomenal. Ponzu is like a magic elixir though. Even so, this dish is other worldly. I'll probably have flashbacks.
(4)
Tori B.
As all the previous reviews say, the view from this restaurant is amazing. The big windows throughout the entire restaurant and how they position the tables, really capitalizes on the beauty. For view and ambiance alone, I would give this place 5 stars. I also found the service to be good, friendly and helpful and typically prompt. The food one the other hand, was quite disappointing. Here's why: - I ordered the seafood paella. I asked for no scallops and more shrimp and was granted my request (score). What I ended up getting was more like seafood tomato risotto. I've had paella many times including in Spain, and this was nowhere close to what I was expecting. I really didn't like it. Thankfully, the shrimp was the best part! - My Husband ordered the seafood carbonara, which I found to be quite good. A bit watery, but overall met expectations. - We had bread pudding for dessert, which as a "gift" for my Husband's Birthday. It was beyond delicious and we all ate it up quickly. It was served quite warm, which is just the way I like it! For the views alone, this restaurant is worth a try. On a weekday it was packed, so clearly everyone else agrees. I was definitely go back and try something else, but it is very expensive, so maybe happy hour... not sure if they have that, but I would be in!
(3)
Jim L.
We read YELP reviews and decided to try this place out for lunch. It was FAR beyond our expectations! Every element - the hospitality, the menu, the taste of the food....the sauces (WOW) were stellar. Our table was #101 and it was in the corner window - could not have been better with views of the Pacific that rival a quick trip to Hawaii! Ask for a server by the name of Joe - incredible! Going back? I think so!
(5)
Cheri D.
Amazing view. Amazing food. And even more amazing service thanks to David. Went for my mom's bday with husband and Dad. Just the perfect setting and each dish was better than the next. Lobster bacon carbonara is TO DIE FOR. As is the halibut and Baja wedge salad with tempura jalapeños YUMM! Will be back often guaranteed.
(5)
Puiwah B.
Came here for Sunday brunch. Everyone loved their meal - ordered crab cake benedict, ahi tuna salad and their S&P breakfast. Washed it down with mimosas and a Bloody Mary. The view itself of the ocean is enough to get me back here. Parking is valet. We got here early but by the time we left, the place was very busy. Took a walk along the beach before getting our cars. Definitely will return to try other menu items.
(4)
Tom D.
Family had dinner on Saturday. Service is great, food is outstanding and location right on the beach cant be better. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Allie S.
Beautiful views! inexpensive valet parking! very friendly service! tasty/healthy food combinations! really great place!! One tip: I'm pretty sure you can't sit at a table without ordering food. I'm not sure if that applies at the bar, or if there is a bar, I didn't really look for one, but we were so indecisive about what to get, we told our server we changed our mind on ordering and he informed us that they're not supposed to let us do that, but would make an exception. we ended up splitting a dish so that we were following the rules...
(5)
Jennifer K.
Wowza. We have booked our rehearsal luncheon for our wedding here, which will be taking place in September. We did this based on the incredible location and views, without even trying the food. Well, we went. And we were not disappointed. We were able to sit on the very beach side patio we will have to ourselves on that day. The server was great, the food was great, the MARGS were GREAT! The interior is well done. I just love it. I can't wait to bring our guests here, they will be wowed for sure. 8 months to go!
(5)
Kristine B.
$98.00 for food positioning! What a bargin.. I see I'm not the first. I'm going to tell everyone I know to never eat here! What a shit hole!
(1)
Corra c.
The shrimp app, the surf and turf roll and oysters are to die for! Scallop dinner small for the price but tasty. Bag of bones all time fav! Short rib is the best around. I can't say enough to great things. Always friendly staff.
(5)
K B.
First off -no happy hour pricing but still found those hours to be very happy. ;) I think I'm ok without happy hour pricing because I think it keeps the riff raff out and keeps it classy. Although paying their regular (kinda pricy) prices for food and drinks, I cannot afford to attend but rarely or on a special occasion. The view from this place is priceless. If you want great food and want to eat this close to the ocean you are very limited. And if I had to choose, I'd choose PCG over and over again. Their specialty drinks are good, meals and anything I've tried there are great. The chocolate custard dessert: OMG! It's amazing, super rich so great to share. I LOVE sweets but my mom & I couldn't finish it. The kona coffee gelato they serve with it is very good. Add a dessert cocktail with it & you're set! I like the peppermint-mocha martini. Personally, without listing everything I've eaten here, I think you'll find anything you get off the menu to be top notch & taste amazing. Pricey, but worth it. They make great food, have a great atmosphere and you just cannot beat the view-period.
(4)
Britt T.
We had a memorable Father's Day sunset dinner here, food was great, the tuna tartare was not great, but everything else was good. Fusion menu
(5)
Tiffany G.
This place is beautiful. The decor is phenomenal, the food is outstanding, and the cocktails were the perfect blend of strong without being gross. Our server left something to be desired as it was not busy at all when we went (a Wednesday around 330-4) and we had a hard time getting her attention so I gave up and walked to the bar myself when we needed refills. All in all, if our server would've been paying attention I would've given them 5 stars, this place is great and I will be back!
(4)
KT T.
Positives: Location, Location, Location Negatives: Parking, food, value I have only been there once, when they first opened. I'm sorry but I do not subscribe to the "well they just opened and they need time to get everything together" mentality. So, I won't be back. The value is just not worth a second visit. Everything was just meh. Bland.... not a fan.
(2)
Marc T.
Loved the ambience on the patio - prompt wait staff with great drinks - inside looks great too especially post sunset....location can't be beat as to view - food choices were good - I ordered seafood pasta which was fair - the 18 oz steak looked awesome - the appetizer with soft shelled crab was fantastic - parking was easy ( $4 valet ) so no worries there - I would go again !
(4)
Sal R.
My first time here. Had Valentine's dinner and all I can say is that I had a great experience! The view, the food and the service was top notch! Started off with a glass of Cabernet and Rosemary bread. Then the Lobster & Shrimp dumplings. Followed by Lobster Bisque Coconut soup. My entree was the Dungeness Crab Stuffed Sea Bass. The coup de grace was an excellent Tempura Banana Split for dessert! All very flavorful and delicious! Shout out to our waitress, Lori, for being wonderful, friendly and gracious! And the view ... WOW! We were seated on top in the patio area and we had a great view of the beach and sunset. Very romantic! I Valet parked ($4 plus tip). Great restaurant. I was very impressed. I will make a visit again.
(5)
Jerry R.
Excellent food in a great location. We had the lobster tacos and filet sliders for lunch. Food was great and our waiter was fantastic. We will be back!
(5)
Tami L.
PCG is another North County favorite of mine. Stopped in here for the first time back in June of 2013. Waterfront location with view so be sure and ask for a table close to the windows or one on the outside area (which I believe was small). One of their favorite items of mine is the ribs which I believe come with some french fries in a bag as well. Those are 'killer'. Absolutely yummy and you must get them if you go. I've had fish here (I fish) when I've been (twice) and PCG never disappoints. Hoping I can stop in for lunch and check out the lunch menu as well.
(4)
Mary-Jane A.
I was really looking forward to going to this restaurant as I had read up on all the great reviews. As I am from out of town, I made the reservations a few weeks ago. When we got there for 8pm (Sunday), we were told immediately that the kitchen was closing at 8:30pm for maintenance and we would have to order our meals quickly. The food was good, however we felt rushed and by the time we finished at 9pm, the restaurant was empty. I wish that they had contacted me a head of time to let me know about the kitchen closing, they had my details. If I had known I would have gone to a different restaurant. It was our last evening in San Diego and was a dissappointing end to a great weekend.
(2)
Sandra T.
Beautiful sunset, great food and amazing weather! Location.... Fantastic! Staff very attentive.
(5)
James G.
Food was amazing, great staff! Alert to management- Dustin was amazing as was Phillip. We had the beet salad, crab cakes (awesome) seared ahi, chowder, vino and great conversation!
(5)
Andy C.
I've really been excited to try this place since it's opened, but with the lack of parking on the coast, or the consistently packed valet lot, I've always just turned away and gone somewhere else for brunch. Man.... I really should have stayed away and trusted my gut, LITERALLY! Alas, I finally came yesterday to have brunch with a couple of friends and I was just automatically impressed with the view from the upstairs patio. The hosts never really greets me and my friend, so we just kind of walked in and told them we had friends here so we just walked right upstairs and outside to the patio area. My friends were already eating, but about 10 minutes later, our server, Mark, finally came over and greeted me and my friend, took our drinks and gave us some water. These drinks were the weakest I've ever had!! I ordered a Bloody Mary and basically just tasted like water and tomato juice. It was disgusting and weak. There was no flavor at all. My friend had ordered a mimosa and drank the first one, so she ordered a second. When she ordered the second, she please asked if there could be more champagne than orange juice. When the drink came out, it seemed like it was the other way around! There was more orange juice than champagne and just lacked the true mimosa taste. The food was ok. I had gotten a small snack due to lack of breakfast, so I decided to get the Salmon sushi roll. When I asked Mark about the roll and how many pieces it had, he guessed between 8-10. First, it's not that hard to remember how many pieces are in a sushi roll. All sushi rolls are made and cut the exact same way so there will always be the SAME NUMBER of sushi rolls made. Secondly, the quality of the fish here wasn't great. When Mark was finally cleaning our table, I don't know how many times he bumped into my right shoulder and hit me with the utensils or plate, but seriously, it's not that hard to properly clean a table with two plates and some knives and forks. I use to be a server for a number of years, I KNOW!!!!! After dining here, I got sick to my stomach from the sushi roll and just couldn't even move. Literally, about 30 minutes later, the quality of the fish got to my stomach. I will never come back here. This lack of service, lack of food quality, and lack of attention to detail just drove me away from coming back.
(1)
Steve M.
What a great place in a perfect location. We got an outside table with direct access to the sand. The hostesses and wait staff were attentive, knowledgable and very friendly. We were catching up with old friends and there was never any pressure to hurry. Decent tap beer selection and my Local wrap was very tasty. Overall a great afternoon spent at the Pacific Coast Grill. Fantastic place to bring your out of town guests!
(5)
Howard S.
Appetizers were served along with main course entrees and the food was terrible. We will not be coming back.
(2)
Shelley L.
My husband and I just had the most amazing lunch. My husband had the shrimp tacos and I had The filet mignon sliders. For an appetizer we had the lobster and crab guacamole dip. Everything we had was delicious and the view in San Diego is unbeatable. Definitely a must go to restaurant.
(5)
Laurel R.
I think this is a fabulous location! the food is fine service is ok as well, and it is kind of a normal, nothing amazing(except the location) experience for the higher end /higher price ranged restaurant. you pay to be on the beach and for that it is well worth the experience. I would like to see some 'signature' menu items, something that makes you crave to go back... To me, the entry area outside is very boring, just a big plain stucco wall. this is Cardiff by the Sea, a very cool and artsy surf world, so it would be nice to see some style, maybe a large mural, or beach rock/abalone or stone front endless possibilities, and blank wall should not be what it remains.
(3)
Travis D.
Absolutely stunning pacific view from the patio seats. There is not a bad item on the menu and everything is cooked perfectly. The coffee is stellar if you are in the mood for a little pick me up. The house French fries are stellar also. They have heat lamps outside on the patio if the wind has picked up a bit and valet parking outside as an option if you're coming from out of town. This place is a little pricier, but sometimes you just gotta pay for the views.
(4)
Alice C.
Friendly service, but the food is really not very good. We had the paella, the seared ahi, the shortribs and the tatare stack. The rice in the paella was undercooked (?) and lacked the creamy consistency of true paella. The ahi was fine, but didn't seem super fresh. Same with the yellowtail in the tatare. The shortrubs were tasty and melt-in-your- mouth. Come for the views and the vibe instead.
Had the most amazing experience last night at PCG!! Front desk hosts were super polite & welcoming. our table on the upper deck was right on the water. Breathtaking views! Mai tai & piña Rita were made to perfection. Had the fries as an appetizer. Boyfriend ordered the 18oz steak & I had the quesadilla. Both were mouthwatering. Ended our dinner with the dulce de leche creme bruleè. Absolutely delicious!! Server was very friendly & attentive. Definitely worth the 45+ min drive for us! Thanks for a wonderful evening pacific coast grill! :)
(5)
Randall D.
Coconut crab crust mahi mahi!! Started with some drinks and cold appetizers. A favorite for over a decade. Always fresh food and exceptional service. Great place anytime. Excellent seared ahi is a must and a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio!!
(5)
Jennifer G.
I used to go here at their old location and loved the food! The new location is gorgeous, food is great, but the service is terrible! They do not seem to care about customer service, because there is always a crowd and they don't really need your business. They don't take reservations either! I went here for my 20th anniversary and it was fine, but when I went here for my 50th birthday they treated my party of 12 like unwanted guests! Our waitress was extremely rude....I won't go into it, but when we complained, they didn't care, they didn't try to make it right. Worst management. It is a shame, because it could be amazing!
(3)
Christine R.
Had a chance to visit both Pacific Coast Grill and Chart House for lunch this week. Both restaurants are located oceanfront and next to each other. Both restaurants offer spectacular views of the waves rolling in. For lunch though, I give the nod to Chart House. Our meals at Pacific Coast Grill were good but nothing really stood out. I had the Lobster BLT and while it was presented very nicely, it was lacking something and was just a little on the bland side. Needless to say, such a beautiful location comes at a premium and lunch for two was over $60 (1 appetizer and no alcohol). In addition, you must pay to park at the Pacific Coast Grill even for lunch. The service was excellent.
(3)
Chris C.
Delightful brunch. Loved the selection on menu. Freshness, creative. Valet parking staff pleasant. Waitress friendly & attentive. Food cooked well & good presentation. We were hoping to sit at patio by the beach, but there was a large party going on. Our party of 4 got Macadamia crested crab cake egg Benedict, pan seared fish, steak & eggs, smoked salmon bagel platter. Everything was perfect. Great way to begin a relaxing Sunday.
(4)
Edie P.
A friend recommended this place to me because of the fantastic views and great food and drinks! We were not disappointed! We went to Pacific coast grill on an abnormally warm San Diego evening! We sat on the upstairs patio and had an amazing view! The first hour (6:30 reservation) was brutal in the sun! That however is not pacific coast grill's fault! In fact they warned us that it was warm on the patio! Once the sun started to go down the patio was the perfect location! We were there on 4th of July so we also got a great view of fireworks after the stunning sunset!! The food was great! The appetizer mussels were good. My husband wasn't a big fan but I thought they were good! The rolls were excellent!! Thumbs up all around! Probably our favorite appetizer item!! Truffle fries were tasty! The lobster entree was fantastic!! And the bread pudding desert. Oh. My. Do yourself a favor and get this for sure. Even if u are stuffed! We sat on the patio for probably a good 3 hours and never felt rushed. By the end of the night we all agreed, this was a fantastic dinner spot to sit and relax and enjoy an amazing view!!
(5)
V V.
First time tonight. Excellent meal, busy on a Tuesday, amazing ocean view.
(5)
Laura Q.
Do not try to bring your group here. We tried to make a reservation for 18 to 20 people on the patio. Not at prime time, just a late afternoon lunch. My estimated cost based on their lunch menu was $30 per person. The restaurant required that we guarantee $75 per person in order to make a reservation! That's 250% markup. They have 5 tables of 4 already there, so it makes no sense to me from a business or a customer service viewpoint. Thanks, but no thanks, I have no desire to go to a restaurant that wants to rip off its customers like that. We'll skip this restaurant for large and small groups from now on.
(1)
Montana C.
Everything about this place was superb. I had shrimp dumplings wich were something unlike anything iv eaten, a must try. Rosemary sourdough bread. Buttery yummy and amazing with a red wine sauce that was to die for. Fish and chips wich were among the best iv had. Light crispy batter and epic fries. A stellar Bloody Mary, nice and spicy. I highly recommend the things I had in this meal. My partner had the fish tacos and wasn't impressed though.
(5)
Avner M.
Haley C was our server & she was AWESOME. If you had a Haley at every place you went to, you would never be disappointed. The entire staff at this place cares about the experience you have & they go above & beyond to ensure this. We asked to sit outside which was a little chilly on this day, but as soon as we were seated, Haley came over & offered us blankets to cover our legs since we were in short. She also had the staff come over & turn on the heater near our table, brought our baby a water dish & Grain Free treats which our dog LOVED & she is very finicky. On to us, Haley was very knowledgeable about the menu, how the food was prepared, the sauces used in the dishes & had some great recommendations. We started with the guacamole with crab & lobster on top. Not only was the guacamole really tasty, the crab & lobster on top was an added part we have never had before....AMAZING. I had the Almond Crusted Tomato with a Chicken Breast added. WOW, it was well prepared. My wife had the seabass with a sauce that was out of this world. If your mouth is not watering yet & you are not full, the desserts are out of this world. There are several to choose from & you will be in heaven. I am not going into detail here because you NEED to come try this place. The food is amazing, the prices are decent & the staff wants to ensure your experience is the best you will have in the area. Not only would I highly recommend this place, but when in the area, I would drive to come here again, that is how good this place it. Right on the beach, great food, great prices & a great staff.
Food and ambience are outstanding. Have had business dinners here, and food and service were excellent. However, drinks and appetizers several times upstairs in the bar area and service is poor. There are always adequate wait staff, but service is a little slow and they just aren't attentive. Sushi is outstanding, but they don't come by regularly to check to see if you need anything. Also have to be reminded a few times to bring bread, water and drink refills. The wait staff gather around and chat...even when there are only a handful of customers. Service really needs improvement. Food is pricey, so service should be much better.
(3)
Shauna M.
If I could give half stars, this would be a 3.5. This place definitely has a five star view, but the service I found to be quite lacking. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. We let them know when we made the reservation, and they gave us a seat right along the edge of the patio with an unobstructed ocean view. It was a beautiful setting, I just wish the wait staff made us feel a little bit more special. It took us forever to get our wine. We ordered a bottle, and our waiter returned promptly the bottle so we could taste it...then our waiter disappeared for a good 10 minutes. We were hungry and had yet to be given a chance to order at least an appetizer, and were left food and wineless. Once we finally got our wine things moved a little bit more smoothly. Although it was kind of awkward when the waiter brought us bread in between the appetizer and the main course. The bread might have been nice during our wine wait. Anyway, the food was great (once we got it), and they brought us a little mini dessert for our anniversary, which was very nice. All in all it was a nice evening with a beautiful view, but for the location and the price of our meal, I would have expected a little bit more. This place seems to be confused between casual and fancy. You have to valet your car, you have a world class view, the entrees are in the $30 range, yet the wait staff wears khakis and a polo and reminds me of service I get at a Chili's. So really, PCG, I like you, but I dont know if I understand you. I might be back, but if I am looking for a nice intimate romantic dinner date, I think I might have to look elsewhere.
(3)
margaret m.
My girls and I took my husband here for his birthday. We reserved a table on the patio. Our table wasn't ready right away but our wait was only minutes. We were seated at a wonderful table over looking the beach. We ordered two starters. One hot and one cold. The hot starter was BBQ ribs and fries. My husband made short work of those so I guess they must have been pretty tasty. My daughters and I had the sunset tower. Oh my god that was great! My oldest daughter has a new favorite food. So I highly recommend that to anyone looking for a fresh tasting appetizer. We had cocktails with our meal. My daughter and I had a specialty drink off of the drink menus. I can't remember the name but it was a drink that tasted like sorbet. We had the serf and turf for dinner and that was lovely. Our server, I wish I could remember her name, but I know she was from Whittier, was supper! After all of our partying and eating our bill was less then we anticipated. We plan to return soon. It's my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Fitness J.
Amazing views .. great service -- our waiter was attentive, knew when not to interrupt and always with a smile. The views were incredible. We sat upstairs on the patio and the view of the sunset was great. We had some the sushi as appetizers and they were good .. then the goat / beet salad (nice), the lobster chowder (yummy especially with the bacon). The drinks were just ok -- I had a margarita with serrano chile which was not spicy-- kind of bland. Then I did their old derby -- again just ok. Only reason I take it to 4 stars. Also tasted the cucumber margarita and it was fine - just nothing to get excited about.
(4)
Jason E.
Fantastic food. Amazing view. Best server I've ever had. Ask for Señor Stout. He made our event special. He truly has a gift for hosting. $4 valet. Great place to take a date.
(5)
Jade R.
You can't beat this restaurants location. Right smack on the beach. We saw a pod of dolphins while we were enjoying drinks. Talk about atmosphere! We ordered the calamari, ahi tuna wonton tacos, and the red wine dumplings. The calamari was one of the worst I've ever had- over breaded, overlooked, and paired with a smoky chipotle "aioli" type sauce. Calamari really needs an acidic, tangy sauce pairing to keep the flavors light and cohesive. The calamari missed the mark, but the red wine dumplings was one of the best things I've ever eaten! It's a must try. The service was quick, cocktails are fresh and well made. We had a great time! I'd love to come back for dinner
(4)
Sherri K.
Talk about a romantic beachside eatery. The bar on the upper level provided the best sunset view I have ever had with my husband and reminded me of time we spent in Hawaii. the bartender was friendly and poured perfect martini's every time. The entire staff, from valet, to hosts, to waitstaff was friendly and natural. Every one was cool and made the experience better than expected. Not over solicitous, just good. The food was GREAT! We had the paella which was cooked perfectly, and I had the sashimi ahi salad which was also as fresh and perfect as possible. When the sun set and it got chilly, the warmers came on and the deck stayed just as inviting and coastal as when the sun warmed the deck earlier that evening. It was a perfect experience.
(5)
Alyssa Marie P.
Best Margaritas in San Diego! And they have quite the selection :) I like to come here with peeps post beach on the weekends. Can't beat the view. Remember to bring your sunnies. Only Downside: There's no happy hour.
(4)
Danielle G.
Great view of the sea, with $4 parking you can't beat it. The food was very good, I had the mahi fish tacos, my daughter had the kids burger and fries and my other chica had the shrimp dumplings. Staff was friendly and accommodating. My little one didn't fancy the dumplings so they took it off my bill; nice!!!! The Thai vodka martini was also a fun afternoon cocktail. The outside patio also allows dogs.
(5)
Jaclyn B.
Went here with my sister last night for dinner. We ordered the raw oysters which were great. We then had the mussels in a Thai coconut curry sauce.....fabulous! Caesar salad was good. Also ordered the halibut on the menu. The combination of fish, potato and vegetable was phenominal. If I lived here is SoCal, I would come to this restaurant at least once a week. Our server Lori was very friendly and knowledgable about food/wine.
(5)
Jenelyn A.
Pricey but they have great selections usually when i go to places like this i always get the calamari.. I am a fanatic i dont really remember the main dish.
(5)
Michelle F.
First off, I appreciate that they have a special vegetarian menu as well as a gluten-free menu. How many seaside/view restaurants can say that? Not many, that's for sure. , Waitress started to list the specials. I interjected to say that we are vegetarians, so no need to list them if not veggie. She said" "That hat may work out great because we have a wonderful red snapper on the menu ..." I replied, "Actually, fish is not a vegetable." Honestly, I do not like to get confrontational about the veggie thing, I just want to have an understanding of sorts. Anyway, BIG points for PCG having a separate veggie/gf menu (ask the hostess for it upon seating). Downside: The food is fairly pedestrian. Upside: incredible view and setting right on the beach. This place is on the "ocean side" of PCH. It simply does not get much better in SoCal. Wild card: the parking valets. They totally readjusted the driver's seat settings AND changed the radio settings. Not cool. I guess dinner on the beach has its price.
(3)
Sara B.
I had my Birthday dinner here last Saturday evening. I had to wait until 8:30 to have it or else I would be in "prime time" and would charge me $100 a person since I had a party of 14. so I decided to wait until 8:30 To avoid the fee. I had never been here before this event. It was ok. I wasn't wowed at all. The location is what you are paying for and the view. The service was good. I ordered the sea bass and it was very bland. I also tried the Lobste Tacos and I wasn't too wowed by those either. The best were the Oysters and the Surf and Turf. Whatever Cake they gave me at the end for my Birthday treat was the best out of everything. I may go back again, but it definitely was not my favorite and not worth all the hype in my opinion.
(3)
Bradley B.
Dan and Karin (lunch and dinner) were fantastic servers. The food was some of the best I've had at the beach, which was a welcome change from other ocean-view eateries who seem to make up for their great views with marginal and expensive food. PCG had both. We liked it so much for lunch that we came back for dinner, and we kept our car parked at the valet the whole time so it worked out perfectly. Lastly, the Sesame-Crusted Seared Ahi with coconut forbidden rice, beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter sauce was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Great experience! Only negative was the uncomfortable outdoor seats.
(5)
Jason R.
Before I start, let me qualify my 3-star review: I'm not going to be one of those reviewers who says things like, "Oh my Gawd, like, I totally had to wait 4 whole minutes for a drink." Do people like that really exist!? ... You're right, I forgot about that city 80 miles north of here. What's it called? Eh, who cares. I have pretty reasonable expectations, but when you're paying $120+ on dinner/drinks for two, those expectations are obviously raised a little bit. There are two really great reasons to come to PCG: #1: The views are absolutely fantastic - definitely as good as advertised, and probably even better. #2: Did I mention the views? Everything else about the experience (service: good; food: average) kind of blends into the background. I really only had two legitimate complaints: First, I made a reservation 2-3 weeks in advance for my wife's B-Day. In the reservation, I simply asked for a patio table. On the day of the reservation, I called several hours before to confirm, and again requested a patio table. When I arrived, I was seated in the dining room, and when I asked about patio seating, I was told that I could choose to wait 45 minutes to an hour. Let me say this: I get it - they can't 'guarantee' me a certain table. That makes total sense. But here's the thing... I was staring at 2-3 open tables on the patio (it was a week-night and not filled to capacity). I went back to the hostess stand, asked if the tables were reserved, and was told they can't guarantee me a patio seat... which they already told me, and repeated without answering my question. I went back to my seat, asked our waitress if the patio seats were reserved, she went and checked with the hostess stand (and maybe her manager), came back and said, "Would you prefer a patio seat, because those are open if you'd like to sit there." It was just a small mis-communication on their part, but it took about 15 minutes to get seated outside from the time we were seated inside, and it set the tone for the rest of the experience. Secondly, my wife ordered the Hawaiian-Style Baby Back Ribs and found a hair in her food. The manager (who was very nice and accommodating) took a closer look and said he thought it was from corn in the kitchen. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but again, not the end of the world. If you're looking for one of the best dinner views in North County, I'd definitely recommend PCG on that alone. If sweeping views of the ocean aren't your thing (however that's possible), then you'd be much better taking your money somewhere else. All in all, a 3-star experience - not great, not terrible, and not bad enough that we'd never consider going back.
The food is well prepared, a bit salty today. We've been here 3x , the first 2 visits were great. Today was disappointing. Felt rushed. Ordered appetizer and drinks. Drinks came and ordered lunch after The 4th top by waitress in 5 minutes. She took entree order said appetizer was on its way. A few minutes later our entrees arrive. So we canceled the appetizer...the timing seemed odd. The staff is nice. Just left us annoyed, it's not that hard to serve things right.
(3)
Leo D.
Starting at the arrival the valet was nice and helpful, the hostess Whitney was extremely helpful walked us around to show us the different tables, took us outside made sure the heater got turned on and brought us a blanket. The food was awesome, and the service is great, can't beat the view. Everything we had was mouth watering, and the drinks were made perfectly, I will be back, and recommend everyone to try
(5)
Patti D.
The stars are for the server and the view. I hate when a restaurant rests on its laurels. My family went to PCG for the first time in December for dinner and it was amazing. The hostesses were not friendly and had a really crappy attitude which didn't really matter too much to us. There is mandatory valet but it's only 4 dollars and they are super fast and really nice. The service was wonderful and the food was amazing. The sea bass and the filet mignon were perfectly cooked. The sea bass was on a bed of mashed potatoes which was unnecessary and took away from the perfect fish. PCG is expensive but I don't blame them because you are paying for the location as well as the food. I've been back a few times for lunch and it's ok but food is very inconsistent. My mom is visiting from The east coast and I wanted nice location so I picked PCG. We went back for "brunch" on Sunday and it was a disaster. Brunch is supposedly until 4pm but you can't get half of the menu after 2pm?! The hostesses are still full of attitude.. No smiles or welcome shown... again don't care about that too much. We ordered calamari and it was sliced super thick which we hate but the tentacles were good. My 13 yr old daughter bit into one and pulled out a plastic bag from her mouth. The server was very nice and said the calamari was free. BIG DEAL!! After seeing her pull that filthy trash bag out of her mouth and then seeing all the bones my mother and son were pulling out of their mouths from the sea bass "filet", I could not eat anything! We were all very grossed out and sick to our stomachs. Oh well, location, people watching on the beach, and lack of local restaurants with this view will keep people coming to PCG I'm sure. It's a shame about the inconsistency. I won't be back and it's sad.
(1)
Sheri F.
Since opening in the mid-90's PCG has been my favorite restaurant. It's where I went for special occasions and where I brought visitors from out of town for great food, service and ambience. When they moved they added amazing ocean views to their list of perks. Suffice it to say, I'm over it. Last month friends from east county were coming out for drinks and apps and I wanted to share my favorite place by the beach with them. We headed upstairs to sit on the upper deck but were told we had to sit inside unless we were having dinner. It was 4:30pm on a Tuesday. Dinner? Really? There were two people seated outside who must have lied and said they were having dinner, but being honest I admitted that we were having drinks and apps and weren't sure about dinner. The hostess checked with the manager who also said no, there was a big party coming and we had to sit inside. I'll admit the food was delicious as always, but when we left at 6:30 after three rounds of drinks, lots of food and a nice fat bill there were no signs of any party on the deck. The people who were there when we arrived were still there sipping drinks. Sorry PCG, sitting inside looking at a mirror that offers a view of the bar and small angled glimpses of the ocean while an entire gorgeous deck full of tables sits unused is not my idea of a great time. I doubt I'll be back. The dinner we ended up having on the patio at Flat Rock was more enjoyable. I even had a better ocean view.
(2)
Dana P.
Wow!!! Amazing sunset, great wine, yummy food and excellent service ;) Pacific Coast Grill is located on the edge of the sand in Cardiff. Perfect location, easy access and valet parking (which is nice when you are driving an SUV).
(5)
Madhuri K.
14 of us had lunch there last weekend. The service could have been more attentive given the size of our party and the pricey place. we ordered a ton of food - my kids had the ribs (they were good - but not a traditional bbq sauce) my husband thought the fries were the best he had ever had. we had the raw tuna salad (best thing I had) the chowder and I had the surf.turf benedict. I thought the seafood was better than the meats. The desserts - the salted caramel creme brulee was AMAZING. my daughter loved their dark chocolate dessert so much she begged me to find the recipe. Unrelated to the food - the view is spectacular. The valet parkers drive recklessly - so hold onto your children.
(4)
Sherpa M.
Great appetizers, fun staff, great view! Great spot for special occasions and cocktails! I've been a fan for years!
(5)
Shari P.
Madison was an excellent server.. I had the sea food pasta.. Amazing!
(5)
Lewis C.
Amazing views by the water and their seafood dishes are delicious. It is rare to find a place that has both. This is the place I recommend to those visiting north county and what a nice dinner out by the water.
(4)
Chris C.
Service and valet parking no problem, good service but the food it's your own risk... (c.f. my picture for more detail)
(2)
Darryl B.
The first thing that impresses you about this restaurant is the stunning view it has. sits right on the beach . Awesome place to have a great meal and watch the sun set. The food was amazing. Prefect steak and Lobster. Calimari is a must. The customer service from the time you valet your car, until the time you leave was empeccable. IF you want to take someone for dinner and empress them or celebrate a special occasion, this is the perfect restaurant to do so. looking forward to next visit.
(5)
E K.
We came to this restaurant for a business meeting. They have a nice small private room upstairs with a built in TV to display presentations. Overall, this restaurants provides great food and service. The prices are steep but the views and food quality compensate for it. Our waiters were prompt and friendly and respected food allergies/preferences. They were good about refilling our drinks and waters. They have a nice variety of food options. The restaurant is literally on the beach with unobstructed views of the ocean. It has 2-stories with amazing balcony views upstairs. The decor is modern and clean. A great place for a romantic dinner, get together with friends/family, or happy hour. Must tries: shrimp dumplings, hot rock (they give you fresh ahi and filet to grill on your own "hot stone" at the table!!), lobster and crab guacamole, kung pao with steak and chile-rubbed filet. Because it's on the beach, parking blows. They have valet for $4 or if you are willing to walk, you can find street parking (if you're lucky) about 50-100 yards away.
(4)
BGrace G.
Reserve ahead and ask for an outside seat if it's not too hot, wonderful terrace overlooking the beach and ocean. You're not guaranteed a seat there but you might score one. If you go early enough before the adjacent beach parking closes, park and pay there, because the valet wait can be long, they are always busy here. Or if your shoes will bear it, park on the street north of the restaurant and walk over. I love the food, great service and you can't beat the ambience and views.
(5)
Kayla K.
My boyfriend and I decided to have a date night and agreed on going to Pcg. I wouldn't hesitate on going back. We got a 30 min wait time for a table on a Friday night but really our wait was 5 mins. Sat us at, in my opinion, the best table outside. (131) Our server Chris D gave us great service and recommendations. He was very knowledgable and genuine. The experience was exactly what we were looking for. We had the shrimp dumplings they were delicious try dipping the bread in the sauce. The chowder was amazing. My man got the carbonara pasta it had great flavor the dish is a generous size. We had a bottle of the twenty rows Cabernet very dry, from Napa Valley we loved it. And ended it with a banana tempura dessert on the house. Thank you for a great experience
(5)
Lindsay G.
We had been here once before on our last visit and only had drinks at the upstairs bar, so we made it a priority to come back for dinner on our next visit to San Diego. We really enjoyed server Chrissy on our first visit so I made sure to request her and they accommodated that even though we requested an outside table that was not in her section. Very nice. Oysters and the Chalk Hill Sauv Blanc were perfect and the bottle was reasonably priced. I ordered the Halibut which would have been great but had either been sitting out it was over cooked as the fish was dry. I didn't speak up and send it back so that was my fault....husband throughly enjoyed the seafood pasta, it was really good and I was a bit jealous! We didn't have dessert but we will be back!
(4)
Nory B.
PCG is such a great place--right on the Cardiff beach and 101. Beautiful ocean views no matter where you sit. Service is extremely friendly and crisp, from the valet greeting you as you drive up all the way to the bussers for the tables. My server, Kari, was very friendly and knowledgeable about their entire menu,, which is fairly large for a lunch menu. Kari was very prompt in her service--my drink was out within just a few minutes of my arrival, and she checked on me several times during my meal. I had the lobster-crab guacamole; probably one of the yummiest appetizers ever! Very generous portion of seafood over delicious guacamole! I also had the seared ahi salad, with roasted red pepper, olives, feta, and charred romaine. I added avocado, and it was a really tasty salad! I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Jeremy S.
The pacific coast grill is a great spot to grab some appetizers or a full blown dinner. Since the remodel, this place has been one of my go-to spots and there's a reason why... The ambiance is legit and the views of the ocean are uncanny. The food here is par for the course, I have had several menu items, but I would say the surf n turf roll and dungess crab are legit as far as appetizers are concerned. For the entree, the lobster tacos and lobster chowder is awesome. Try and sit on the dog friendly outdoor patio for outstanding views of the water. Forget to mention that the device both for the food and valet are both awesome. Pros- Service Valet price- $4 Ambiance Views Menu Dog friendly patio Cons- Pricey Drinks lack a bit alcohol Crowded
(4)
Lain L.
I went back for more with a larger group this time, and they were very accommodating. We didn't get the top floor outside seating like we wanted but we understood cause we called for last minute reservations. All the food was spot on like always!Someone in our group didn't like one of the side and they were also nice about switching it out for something else! Whats even better was that they gave us an extra dessert because there was 3 birthdays we were celebrating! We ordered a dessert and they put 2 candles on that and gave us an extra different dessert with another candle! It was awesome! I just love this place and their customer service!
this is a great place for a company dinner. Got to sit right on the beach outside. The menu is set with a few choices wonderful food. Appetizers beoight to your table Worth with an occasional visit
(4)
Francine T.
Last evening we had a horrible and frustrating experience for my group at Pacific Coast Grill. Though a spectacular, ocean front location, everything else was abysmal. Non-existent service, a 55 minute wait for dinner entrees of which 3 were served room temperature and sent back and returned nuked 20 minutes later and a noise level that was oppressive made for an embarrassing evening as the restaurant was my recommendation. We requested to see the manager twice and each time she came to the table to attempt to salvage the evening which by then was too late.
(1)
Vannica K.
Gentlemen please take your Lady out here, you will find it very pleasing. How can you say no to the gorgeous view of Solona Beach. Be sure to come here and not miss the sunset! Came here for my 3 year anniversary and they provided a complimentary dessert ! I recommend the "Bag ol Bones" for appetizers it comes with truffle fries . (The best baby ribs ever)
(5)
Adron B.
Very awesome mix of french and sushi. Only been there once but I will be back. The ahi is excellent.
(5)
Devin A.
Despite the miles and miles of gorgeous coastline along North County, there are surprisingly few restaurants actually on the beachfront. Pacific Coast Grill is one of them and in my opinion - what the coast lacks in quantity of restaurants, it makes up for in quality, at least with this one. Pacific Coast is a great dining choice that offers a diverse variety of flavors served up with a spectacular view. I had lunch at PCG recently with a friend of mine, a self-proclaimed foodie from Toronto who has designed multiple high end restaurants/resorts/hotels all over the world and has acted as a restaurant consultant, helping train chefs and revamp menus. Needless to say, she has a very refined palate. First off, PCG has a rather extensive wine and cocktail menu, but their draft beer list is short- but that's ok, because they do feature local favorites from Ballast Point (Sculpin) and Saint Archer (IPA). They offered tasters, which was appreciated. Tip: Go with the Sculpin. When you are done, have another one. They have a nice assortment of both hot and cold appetizers. On the hot side, we went with the West Coast Black Mussels. Served in a bowl with a savory thai coconut curry sauce and topped with two pieces of grilled ciabatta, the mussels were very nicely cooked. If there was any complaint, it was that the sauce itself was a bit on the runny side. A thicker sauce would have been a nicer compliment to the mussels and bread. A touch of saffron would have been sublime. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to order it again. For the cold appetizer, we went with the Yellowtail Tartare Stack - a beautiful square packed with nice chunks of tuna and copious amounts of avocado, topped with cubed mango and served with chips. While I had high expectations for this dish, I felt that it fell a little flat, lacking any sort of punch. The flavors of the fish and avocado blended well, but were muted by the sesame oil (?). It could have used something to brighten it up - a peppering of diced jalapenos perhaps? I was also not a huge fan of the chips, which reminded me of the processed Muncho chips I used to eat in elementary school. Don't get me wrong, we ate every bite - I'm not one to let some nice yellowtail go to waste - but I probably wouldn't order it again. For the entree, we both opted for the special of the day - grilled fish tacos. I know they have fish tacos on their regular lunch menu, but these were prepared differently: a perfectly grilled piece of mahi mahi served with a very light slaw and sauce, topped with pineapple on a toasted flour tortilla. Two tacos to a plate and served with a side of rice and beans, this was a very flavorful dish. Our only complaint was that the sauce caused the tortillas to turn to mush and they fell apart as we tried to eat them. My friend thought that perhaps corn tortillas would have held up better, but I thought the more pronounced flavor of a corn tortilla would have overshadowed the very light and delicious flavors of the fish and slaw. The rice and beans were just okay. Overall, I enjoyed the dish, even if I had to use a fork to finish it. We skipped dessert, but finished the meal with a nice coffee. The staff was very friendly, accommodating and efficient. The view, even on a somewhat overcast day, was wonderful. 3-1/2 stars for the food, with an extra 1/2 for the view. Tip: The parking lot is very small, so you are going to have to valet it - but it's only $4. Bring some cash with you. My friend and I were both very happy with lunch. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Pacific Coast Grill. Good food, great service, and a phenomenal view!
(4)
Rebecca W.
Both my husband and I have birthday's within 2 weeks of each other so my in-laws told us to pick a nice place for dinner. I have been to PCG one other time for a work function and immediately thought of this place because I've been wanting to go back. I booked through open table for 6PM. We got sat right next to a window with a killer view of the ocean. It was perfect! Our waitress was super friendly and greeted us right away. We all ordered drinks from the bar and they came out within minutes, which was great. We ordered the Bag o Bonz and lobster soup to start out with, both fantastic! The Bag O Bonz were these apple-wood Hawaiian style baby back ribs and they were so good. I normally don't particularly like ordering ribs because of how messy they are but these were worth the mess. They also brought us out wet towels with lemon to clean our hands after so it wasn't even a big deal. For dinner I ordered the Braised Short Rib with scalloped potatoes...to die for! It was a great piece of meat, I couldn't even finish it but I'm super excited to have this as left overs. You actually get what you pay for here. All the food and service was amazing! The only thing I'm not a fan of is valet parking, but that is a personal preference. I like having the option of parking my own car but you can not do that here. It's cash only for valet so be prepared for that.
(5)
William V.
Service with a smirk. We were served over an hour later than other tables. Order was probably lost or Something. We only got served when we threatened to leave. So disappoInting. Table of 4. No excuse They never admitted the order was lost. The water didn't follow up when we asked about the order. Lack of honesty is why this is the first negative review I have ever given on yelp. Curious why no reply
(1)
Mary X.
Came here on Sunday with my boyfriend for brunch. We sat upstairs on the balcony which had a nice view. Our server was very attentive and friendly! I was going to order the lobster Benedict but she recommended the croissant with lobster and prosciutto. Can't remember the name :( but it was sooo good! My boyfriend ordered the loco moco and that was really good too! Will definitely be back for lunch or dinner and prob watch the sunset I definitely want to try the lobster tacos that everyone raves about!
(5)
Esther C.
Their one item on their menu got me hooked-- shrimp and lobster chowder. I never ever liked anything creamy, so I've disliked every creamy or clam chowder type of soup all my life. For some magical reason (I'm a drama queen) I was enchanted to order their lobster and shrimp chowder as their appetizer and it is soooooooooooooo good. The flavors and the perfectly cooked, soft meat was wonderful and doing great things in my mouth. Yeah sure, their wine choice was great, the atmosphere, the view, but the shrimp and lobster chowder is sumtin else. :) Our waitress was beyond amazing. We had a 10-person group that day and she handled all our orders, food, and needs with professional, kind, and attentive care.
(5)
Andrew F.
"Eel! Methinks not." Pretty much sums it up. Today (7/12/15) we had again another terrible experience with the front of house for Pacific Coast Grill. I will never understand why a host/hostess (in this case hostess) are so unsupervised they are allowed to treat patrons with an utter lack of what I would consider basic courtesy. So, why: "Eek! Methinks not."? Simple. When I go to a 4 or 5 star restaurant anywhere... (SF, NYC, Chicago, etc) the collective experience is great or at least "nice". Basically, a customer willing to spend $70-100 a person should get their money's worth. Somehow, Pacific Coast Grill always gets the easiest part wrong. Sit a customer at a table, politely. The ONLY thing a hostess has to do is: 1. Take a reservation/table request, 2. Honor it. Do those two things and at least pretend like you care about the people that are paying for the experience. If this weren't the 4th time this has happened to me at Pacific Coast Grill, I'd like to think I would be more forgiving. But it is. Four times? Four times... out of 10 visits the hostess of all things have ruined the experience. I don't understand why this place continues to let the high school social club run front of house? This is one of those scenarios where a maître d' would make a world of difference. The food and view are pretty good, but I have officially given up. I just can't bring myself to spend $140+ on a meal when I genuinely feel like the first person I talk to is not only disinterested in my business, but resents it. As a result, I certainly wouldn't recommend Pacific Coast Grill to someone looking for a nice night out. It's just not worth it.
(1)
rika a.
Great place good food we were sitting outside it felt like we're eating at the sand The price was reasonable highly recommend
(5)
Tim T.
Even through it is Mother's Day they did not rush us. A busy day and it didn't affect the service or the quality of the food. We had the Hawaiian baby back ribs, Sea Bass and the Seafood Pasta. The food came out of the kitchen promptly, hot and well prepared. Great flavors and nicely seasoned, certainly not average food. The dark chocolate custard was amazing, don't miss it Location has great ocean views and some outside seating. Pricy but worth a visit for special occasions.
(4)
Ester C.
Beautiful place, great service, great food! They have options for vegetarians and vegans, just ask for the vegetarian menu. My favorite is the vegetarian pasta!
(5)
Kathy L.
The patio with the view already had my heart. The food, delicious. Pricey and upscale, but the ambiance, food selection, quality and caliber of presentation and portion size constituted it all. Highly recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, and seafood Cobb salad. Kids in your party? The $16 fish and chip was delicious and portion size could feed an adult - easily can be split among two kids. Great for a business meeting, date, girls day/night out, or birthday to celebrate among a small group. Many older guests among the crowd this early afternoon (Tuesday).
(5)
Bill T.
Came here for a business dinner. Everything was delicious and the service was great, even with a large party of about 18! They had a nice selection of local beers to start. Cali beer tends to be very hoppy but I had some Green Flash that was fairly smooth. We had some calamari for the appetizer and that was good. For my entree, I selected the Lobster Tacos, which were very tasty. Havig eaten a lot of lobster in New England, I thought that this might be a risk, but I wasn't disappointed. Portions of lobster were generous and the meat was tender, not chewy. Even though we were full, we ordered several desserts and they were all terrific. The chocolate custard was my favorite, served with a side of ice cream (I think it was coffee flavored). I'd like to freeze dry that stuff and vape it! The view is nice too! We went for a later dinner so the sun was down but you could still see the waves crashing on the beach. I'm sure at sunset it's real romantical-like, so you can take your sweetheart there and share a special moment. Very cool place that felt very California to me.
(4)
Kevin L.
Took my wife here for our 19 year anniversary. The service was outstanding, the view was phenomenal, and the food was delicious. It started with calamari and lobster bisque. I had the seafood pasta and my wife had the coconut fish.
(5)
Vicki N.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego. Sunday brunch is amazing - Lobster Huevos rancheros, Filet Mignon egg burrito, yummy brioche french toast - all very reasonably priced and the ambiance and service is exceptional. From the valet to the manager and everyone else - you feel welcomed the second you arrive. Dinner has never disappointed either. Even though it's not a dedicated sushi restaurant their rolls are some of the best ever - delicious. Entrees are fantastic and again the view either patio, could not be any better. Love everything about this place!
(5)
Lisa R.
my husband and i were so bummed when the Beach House in Cardiff by the sea closed. there are very few restaurants in SD county with such a great view of the Ocean. I drove by today and noticed that the Pacific Coast Grill was open and decided to check it out. not only does it have the same view, it has an amazing menu and decent wine selection! i just stopped in for a snack so just had the sashimi wonton tacos but they were delicious! i will definitely be back for dinner with my husband!
(4)
Nay P.
came here on a Friday night (granted) 8:30 reservation. sat outside on the second level next to the ocean. The atmosphere: I felt like I was at a diner. SO loud. Do not go on a dinner date here. Its a family restaurant, despite the amazing menu and view its not worth it if you're looking for a nice evening dinner. You can hear everyone's conversations, the food was great though.
(3)
Staniel D.
I was looking for a restaurant where we could enjoy a great meal and watch the sun set over the ocean and the Pacific Coast Grill met and exceeded expectations. I enjoyed a Cardiff Reef Roll as an appetizer and a porcini/scallops preparation as an entree. Both dishes exhibited a balance of flavoring and seasoning that enhanced the proteins without overwhelming them. The desserts were house made and also quite good. I had their chocolate custard preparation which was served with mocha ice cream and a black cherry drizzle. Both the desserts and the appetizers were large and could easily be shared The space itself is quite lovely featuring clean mid-century lines, natural stone floor and spacious windows. The prices were quite reasonable for a restaurant of this calibre.
(5)
Rich M.
The view is nice. After that all downhill. The hostess was surly. The waitress was phony. And now we get to the worst part...... The food. We had shrimp/lobster bisque.... No shrimp or lobster but a lot of potatoes. And did I mention there was NO taste to the soup. Then we tried the shrimp app. No taste and covered in a tasteless purple sauce. We left after that. No need to throw good money after bad. We left never to return. DO NOT GO!
(1)
valerie m.
Love this place but not their prices. Such a great place to have lunch on the patio outside overlooking the ocean on a warm day. We were warm welcomed by Tamarra and sat on the patio. A couple skinny margs, a great pear, beet salad with candied walnuts and goat cheese and let me say the Hamachi tartare stack is fabulous. The Hamachi is fresh, a tad oily but paired with avocado and mango was perfect and light. We also had the crab and lobster quacamole which comes covered in crab and lobster with chips. Really fresh but can put you over the top. You can also ask for crackers and forgo the chips. The service was good, we got everything we needed when we needed it. So, all in all it was a successful lunch.
(4)
Alexa D.
Chris was our server tonight and he was fabulous!!!!!! Our drinks were amazing, and our dinner was out quickly and the presentation was outstanding! It was our first time at PCG and we were celebrating our anniversary and Chris made us feel welcome and important. 5 stars for him!
(5)
Valerie W.
Awesome! This place has the whole package: amazing food, friendly staff (front desk, waitress, valet), beautiful location with breath taking view! We highly recommend this place to seafood lovers (although the steak was bomb too)!
(5)
Yesenia D.
We came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We got to sit on the outdoor patio. Beautiful view! We ordered the cowboy steak which was way too salty. For dessert we got the tempura banana split which was really good! The prices are on the pricey side and parking is really small, but valet parking is only $4. Overall the food was ok but amazing view.
(4)
Cindy T.
During a weekend in Carlsbad, we were referred to Pacific Coast Grill for a nice meal, seaside. PCG is located right on the beach and has a really nice view of the water. I see a lot of people who come to enjoy the sunsets but we were not able to get there that early. I thought I would be disappointed by not being to see the ocean but I was wrong. PCG has huge flood lights that light up the ocean waves rolling up to the shore. The deck is very comfortable, even on a cool evening with the heaters on. The inside has very nice decor and even if you can't score a table outside, there are large viewing windows inside. Now I just wish I could say I am as big a fan of the food as I am of the views. Now I am going to try to give it a pass because the service was really good and everyone around me, including my husband, enjoyed their meals. I had a lobster tail with seasonal vegetables and a potato cake. The lobster was very generic, nothing to write home about. Veggies were ok and the potato/leek cake was yummy. I think I would opt to try something a little more creative the next time, however. It was just ok. I would try PCG again the next time I am in town for if nothing else, the spectacular spot it sits on.
(3)
Elle J.
"I was looking for a view and then I found a view. Heaven knows I'm happy now!" -if The Smiths had in fact been looking for a view and checked out PCG. Thanks Yelpers for letting me know about this place. I had a visitor working with me and I needed to find a nice lunch spot in a hurry. He really wanted a water view, as most out of town folks do. My mind was a blank, but yelp saved me. Parking here is only valet. I felt so ashamed to hand over my dirty car. Sorry guys! The view is to die for. If you come during lunch bring your shades and either eat outside or right by the window. It really helped what could be a somewhat awkward lunch turn into a fun time. There were a ton of things to comment about from the view to the doggie playing in the waves. Service was good but a bit slow. I was super duper hungry! I got the ahi slider and fries. It was pretty good. Truffle fries were a bit overwhelming but the fish was cooked well. We shared the guacamole and it needed lemon to zing it up. Otherwise the portion was huge and it tasted fresh. My guest enjoyed his meal and I was able to give him a little taste of our area without missing a beat work wise. Oh, get there a little early for lunch. Even on we'd it became packed!
(4)
Jenna T.
AMAZING! Food was fantastic and location was beautiful. Right on the beach in Encinitas. Went here for a business meeting, ordered the calamari and truffle fries. Service was prompt and friendly. Valet was a huge plus. Will definitely be back in the future!
(5)
Micah C.
I had this place book marked for a while so made reservation for Sunday brunch. (Late) 2:30pm....Everything was smooth sailing. Had a Baja Margarita-chopped cilantro which was unique with the spice of the jalapeño or whatever was in the tequila? Great view. I had the surf and turf burger. Great burger. "I mean common it's got lobster and bacon on the surf and turf you joking?" Bomb... Only star being subtracted is for the small menu options on Sunday brunch after 2. Your options are much more limited food wise. Return visit....I'd like to try the oysters and maybe one of their appetizer rolls.
(4)
Hann A.
eat here. view awesome.
(5)
David E.
Before you read this review, please know that I do work there, but I will do my best to not be too biased. PCG is located right on the water with an amazing view of the ocean and beautiful sunsets every night. It is across the street from the famous dive bar The Kraken and next to the now defunct Beach House. The owners of Pacific Coast Grill actually purchased that location so in about a year there will be another awesome restaurant/bar beachfront. Try the Calamari and Shrimp Dumplings, enjoy some awesome sushi rolls. Pan seared Sea Bass and Seared Ahi are off the hook, literally. The margaritas have house-made fresh sweet and sour with many different flavors to choose from. Cucumber Jalapeno, Cilantro Serrano Peppers, Blackberry and more. The Pipes Pineapple martini is definitely one to try, guaranteed you will have another and the wine selection is fantastic. Under $100 Pinot Noir, try Flowers. Desserts you need to try are the Banana Split and Chocolate Custard. Definitely a great place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special event like a wedding party. PCG can rent out the upstairs, private dining room for up to 12, or the entire restaurant. One thing to know is there is NO Happy Hour, but the well margarita called the Gold Margarita is only around $8 and worth it so there are ways to make you happy anyway if that is what you're looking for. Outside is for full dining, but bar area and a few surrounding tables are open seating perfect for a quick bite or even dinner at the bar.
(5)
Chad C.
Fantastic business lunch with incredible views of the ocean !!! Our group had a private room on the upper level of the restaurant which had a gigantic window where you could literally see surfers taking off from the large waves today. We were brought a sampling of all of their appetizers to share family style. For the main course I ordered the ahi which was cooked to perfection lightly searing each side adding sesame seeds with wasabi crusting. This was served on a bed of coconut forbidden rice, beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter sauce. For desert their was an assortment of all their favorites which were also shared family style. The food was awesome but the location, view, and decor make it an incredible beach front dinning experience. I will be back for sunset dinner for sure !!!
(5)
Kevin T.
Had a last minute mid-week date night here... The drive along the ocean was gorgeous as the surf was pumping and the sun was going down. Parking was a bit strange until I quickly realized it was valet only. Once inside we waited about 3 seconds to be seated at our table right next to window overlooking ocean. Good food, friendly service.
(5)
Irustin B.
I was not sure after my first visit if the outstanding food and service was a onetime thing so I went again. Shrimp dumpling appetizer -mmmm Texture Amazing, sauce spectacular Lobster Pasta (might have been called carboni) - wow, perfectly done and delicious. Bread was good and fries incredible. The placed was Packed! At 8pm on a Sunday night. Still, even though we were told it would be an hour wait (it was 50 min) we got first rate service. Flawless presentation, and everything was fresh. There is probably no better restaurant in town.
(5)
M. C.
Location is clearly lovely. Food was decent- tasty, not impressive. What killed our afternoon was the behavior of our waiter Kyle. At least two comments he made I thought were rude and unprofessional: - we requested to break a $5 bill into ones, he refused, saying the valet could provide us with change - BEFORE we had completed and signed our credit card slips (group paid with a combination of cash/CC), he comes to the table announcing the breakdown of the total bill- total cash, total credit and pointed out that the tip portion was less than xx amount of dollars. Basically acting butt-hurt and defensive. Not only was his behavior inappropriate, it was completely illogical- we hadn't had a chance to complete and sign the credit card slips. It is very common to add tip to one's credit card slip, sum the new total and then sign it. Don't be rude, especially based on your wrong assumptions. It could have been a really classy place, but the behavior above ruined it.
(2)
Jen L.
I made an appointment on open table and mentioned it was our anniversary.. Immediately when we arrived they wished us a happy anniversary and seated us upstairs on the patio.. We had the Cowboy Steak and Porcini Crusted Scallops.. Steak was cooked to perfection with a good charbroiled taste.. The scallops were just as good if not better.. At the end of the meal they surprised us with dessert - White Chocolate Bread Pudding!! And as we were leaving the receptionist wished us a happy anniversary again!! Service and staff were great.. This place is a nice upscale casual with an amazing view.. Allow yourself some time for parking.. They have valet or you can pay for beach parking.. We just paid for all day parking at the beach lot right next to the restaurant so we could hang out at the beach afterwards.. We'll come back soon to try their Sunday brunch!
(5)
Robert D.
Food was outstanding. View is amazing. Good ambiance. I thought the staff was very nice. Parking lot was nuts but the valet dudes were very nice and friendlky. Kind of a beautiful people crowd the night we were there but all in all I'd go back. Had the scallops and they were delicious. Margaritas are very good.
(4)
Sarah A.
This restaurant is amazing! Amazing food, service and location! The food was delicious! I highly recommend the Kobe beef/lobster sushi. We came here with our two young daughters, we were able to sit upstairs on the balcony which was perfect so we could look out over the ocean and watch the sunset. Making a reservation was a breeze, made one within ten mins of walking in. If you're in the area, this is a must! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Alice C.
Incredible atmosphere and food! Recommended by Park Hyatt Aviara concierge. Great recommendation and a fantastic sunset before we ate. We went an hour before to walk on the beach and relax! Fresh Maui Maui and lobster chowder!! Go. Be. Love.
(4)
Heidi I.
My BF took me here for my birthday last night, it was wonderful. I have not a single complaint. We had a 7:15 reservation, got there on time and Valet immediately get us taken care of, we were seated immediately at a table right at the window so we had great ocean views. I asked my BF if he asked for that table, he should have taken credit for it, but no, we just got lucky and that was the table we got...he didn't even tell them it was my birthday to get a good table or anything. So it was great that we had such a perfect table. Chris was our server, he was attentive and knowledgeable. Informed us of the Aloha Roll appetizer special (a very interesting and delicious sushi roll that we did order), we also got the calamari. Also good. For dinner I had the Salmon with black truffle oil gnocchi and zucchini succotash with a port wine reduction OMG. Very good. I had to control myself to not eat the whole thing. But I am very excited to eat the rest for lunch today. Boyfriend had the Ribs. I would not have ordered that but he is very picky about fish since he fishes and we have a freezer full of fish he caught, so he goes for meat at restaurants often. We also saw someone else at the next table get that and it looked pretty delish. It was. Chris brought me a Bread Pudding dessert for my birthday, it was divine, I also saved half of it for today. Dinner was Aloha Roll ($20) Calamari ($12) Salmon ($29) Ribs ($29.50) 3 Moscow Mules ($33.75) and 3 Sculpins ($23.75) coming to $159.30 with tax before tip. Pricey but great for a special occasion or date night. Not much more expensive than anywhere else nice. BF's mom had been in a few weeks ago and she told us it was really loud...I guess maybe it's a little loud but not loud enough that it bothered me, she is kind of a cranky old lady. We walked upstairs and checked out the bar and patio, looks cool, we would go and try to sit up there next time, maybe more lively for drinks and appetizers only. Oh, and portions were large. We definitely did not need both appetizers, but everything was awesome.
(5)
Kara R.
Holy Moly The lobster tail here is THE BEST in California - heck even the entire baja peninsula I'm not kidding! I believe it's south african lobster tail. It's definitely a scene and it's not cheap but dear God the lobster tail is AMAZING!!!! It's a good date night kinda place too
(5)
Cheryl T.
As good as it gets! We were lucky enough to sit upstairs on the deck and overlook the gorgeous beach. The service was attentive and friendly. The food was delicious - but what we raved about the most, was the wording on the menu. The most enticing words put together to describe food!! Forbidden rice?? I just had to get a side of this rice to try for myself! It was indeed yummy. Everyone in our party enjoyed everything we ordered and I couldn't have asked for a better evening out. Well done PCG, well done!
(5)
Jim D.
Great margaritas, amazing sushi rolls. I had the seafood paella it was very good. Not too dry like some paellas can be. The winner of the night was the sesame crusted ahi and the banana split.
(5)
Rei-Na J.
This restaurant has it all...great service, tasty food and an amazing view.... Trifecta!! We were here for a surprise bday party for one of my pretty cousins. We had a party of 30 and the outside patio was reserved for our group. Within minutes of walking in, one of the servers asked me what I wanted to drink and I happily and willingly gave her my order (Titos and water, 2 lemons). The apps came next, served family style. We tried the crab cakes, chips/guacamole, surf and turf roll and my fave, calamari. I was torn between ordering the lobster tacos vs seared ahi with coconut rice and after much deliberation, I picked the lobster tacos because the server said it was served deconstructed. I like that because I'm not one for tortillas so I tend to pick tacos apart and only eat the inside. The lobster taco plate was nicely presented but unfortunately, the ratio of lobster to tomatoes was disappointing. It should have been called tomato tacos, with a touch of lobster. But that's ok... As I looked over at the view, I immediately relaxed and somehow didn't mind one bit. I was also on my 2nd cocktail so I'm sure that helped as well. G$ (youngest son/baby love) ordered the seared ahi and holy tastebuds, YelpMan!!!! Intense flavors, sesame crust was delicious and melt in your mouth awesomeness!!!! Take a road trip to Cardiff by the Sea and stop here for lunch... You will pat yourself on the back for listening to me.
While in San Diego for the weekend, my bf wanted to have his birthday dinner somewhere on the beach or at least w a nice beach view. Pacific Coast Grill had the best view in north county. It was not only perfect but convenient. We had just left Cardiff beach and this was right up the street and we were able to get reservations within 10 mins! The reviews on this place were great and you couldn't beat the view. When we arrived and gave them our reservation name we were sat inside right away. Although we were sat inside there was still a perfect ocean view right in front of us and we wanted to see the sunset. The reason we were sat inside was because our 10month old was asleep in her car seat. My bf decided after 10 mins that he really wanted to sit outside. The place started to quickly fill up and I was worried we wouldn't get to sit outside .. While he went to the restroom I asked our waitress (Jenn C. -who was awesome btw) if it were possible to still grab a seat outside and also keep her as our waitress. After a few mins, she came over and helped us move outside. It was perfect! And since it was his birthday I wanted to make sure he was happy and w this beautiful seating on the beach who wouldn't be?! We ordered the hot rock appetizer w filet minon. A must!! And I also ordered the black mussels! Plenty and filling. Super tasty! For our main course my bf ordered the lobster tacos and I ordered the sea food pasta! I could not finish my plate, it was so filling! I definitely recommend the seafood pasta - it comes w lobster, shrimp, scallops and mahi. And these aren't tiny pieces either! The pieces were BIG, whereas most places gip you on this. This place had it going on! They also brought out our little one sliced avocados which worked out perfect. I later pulled our waitress aside to ask if there was anything they could do for his birthday and she listed 3 diff desserts to choose from that she could bring out towards the end of our dinner. She gave me her recommendation and I went w it initially. But after my bf went through the dessert menu he had told me he really wanted to try the tempura banana split. YES, you read that correctly! Amazing right?! Well, that wasn't one of the options so I ran back inside and asked if there was any way we could get him that dessert instead and that if I had to pay extra it was ok. She said she would see what she could do etc. Well, Jenn came through w the tempura banana split and it was AMAZING. I don't even think that word can possibly describe how delicious this dessert was! We were so absolutely pleased w our waitress and the service. She definitely went up and beyond for us and this place definitely deserves 5 stars. Everyone who worked there was so on top of everything and accommodating. And who can beat the view!?!? This is definitely going to be our go-to spot when we come back to Encinitas! Thanks again Jenn C. for great service!!!!!
(5)
Tina P.
Stopped in for a late lunch. Enjoyed wine & local craft beer. The prices were pretty steep for sushi, but someone's gotta pay for the beachfront property, I guess. Ordered the Surf & Turf Roll Kobe beef, spicy lobster, soft shell crab, avocado, truffle-Unagi sauce & crispy leeks $20, Cardiff Reef Roll spicy tuna, Dungeness crab, tempura jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce $18, Yellowtail Tartare Stack with avocado- habanero- mango sauce & sesame-ginger wontons $16.50. I really enjoyed the flavors of both rolls just super pricey!!!!
(4)
Kari U.
We weren't able to make it in time for sunset, but the view was still beautiful! They light up the beach at night and it's such a calming feeling to watch the waves roll in. Onto the good stuff (and not so good stuff)... Food: 4 stars. The lobster and crab guacamole was good, but for $20, I expected house made (and not grocery store) tortilla chips. Paella was excellent and probably enough for two to share. Service: 3 stars. Seated quickly but server took a while to take our drink order. We also had to ask for bread, although it looked like all other tables got it automatically. We had to flag him down to refill our drinks and waited forever for our check. When he dropped it at our table, he said "here's the bill" no "thanks for coming in". Bussers were personable and helpful though. Location is the highlight of this place. But our favorite spot in this area will remain Jake's.
(4)
Jen E.
The views are exceptional, so I guess I understand why everything is so over-priced on the menu...they have to pay for it somehow, but $6.75 for a Pacifico? Really. The decor is very bland, which I also get....because THE VIEW, why do you care if you are sitting in a sea of beige with the ocean & beach right through those windows, However, Pacific Coast Grill, I think you can do better. Look to Jake's up the road in Del Mar. That place has the view and definite vibe to it. So, if I can get beyond the exorbitant tourist-high prices and lack-luster interior, I like the place. The food is good. Not exceptional, but good. The clam & lobster chowder is more of a bisque, but it's tasty. And the Prime Rib sliders got high marks from my husband. I enjoyed the Primo French Dip over lunch, even if the prime rib was chopped up so finely that a lot of soldiers were lost to the Au Jus. Our server was very attentive & really sweet. And probably best of all the cocktails were made with a heavy pour too (making the extreme pricing a little easier to take). For those trying to save a couple pennies while taking in the sunset, they have an early-bird dinner menu. And during the winter months, you really are getting your best value here if you actually dine while you can see the water. Yes, they have flood lights for night, but it's not the same thing, plus there are many better restaurants in town for sure. The lunch crowd on the patio featured a mixed-bag. Lots of old ladies (a book club, I think), some business lunch duos, and a smattering of ladies who lunch alternating glasses of sparkling water and white wine. They were a collection of chattery groups though, so a romantic lunch this was not. $4 Valet.
(3)
D S.
Food and ambiance is awesome!
(5)
Tricia R.
This is definitely an awesome restaurant! The food is amazing and the view is gorgeous!
(5)
Ernesto C.
In the spirit of penning a note to my pal YELP - a note that carries a bit of an non-ordinary twist, this gem of a location on Highway 101 aka "P"acific Coast Grill and its lead "P" brought the idea of the 5 'P's of Marketing 101 to mind & in this order: PLACE - the place is stellar and a direct window to the world of the Pacific Ocean // secure your dining posi by 7pm, cocktail in hand by 710pm and enjoy the remains of the day until the star of the show - the big bright sun - sets on the West as it rises in the Far East.... you view this performance unfolding from lovely PCG's ocean portal : 180 degrees of windows, smack dab on the beach with perfect viewing vantage points: from the bar, at the tabletops, the formal dining room, outside patio and upstairs terrace - all with a common real estate theme: location location location and PCG has some of the best SD & SoCal have to offer PRODUCT - the cocktails were nice and the list is exhaustive // ditto and then some in the wine selections dept // there is a good selection of margaritas and the Missus indulged in one with a blueberry flavor and I chose a spicy one ( with a side shot of Patron blanco on the side - always for good measure & at the end of a stressful week ) - many good appetiser choices and we opted for the crispy cornbread calamari with a delish " chipotle dipping sauce " ..perfect... - we went on to our mains: coconut crusted mahi mahi ( tiny piece ) on a bed of jasmine rice & apple cider soy butter ( too sweet ) + baby bok choy ..... the Lady had seabass with spinach, mash tatties, toms & basil - here is the mystery: how can these two entrees possibly be prepared in cooked in about " one minute "?..... I want to say that either the kitchen is ultra efficient (huhmmmm?) or a good bit of pre.prep / pre.cook went into these two dishes ( freshness factor?)... not an ideal situation & it gives a new meaning to the movie title 'Gone in 60 Seconds' - the verdict: just ok but not close to out of this world & next time we'll opt for shared appetisers ( again, the calamari was great ) - the saving grace and PCG's redemption: a rich and fab bread pudding with caramel bourbon that was out of this world(!) PROMOTION - what better way to promote your great place and it product than with excellent service - whilst the front host was a bit stiff & robotic ( albeit, with a lovely Barbiei smile ), our server for the evening - Sharon - was excellent from start to finish and earned a generous & well deserved gratuity PRICE & PROFIT - at the English say, it was "very dear" and that translates to very pricey .....but then again, the setting is phenomenal and Cardiff is so quaint and such an idyllic place for din on the SoCal coast - I think one can go there and indulge in sunset cocktails and some evening fun and nibble away at a good assortment of appetisers, all night long ~ ~ ~ All in a all, not a Yelp 5 star award, net of Place and Promo categories (5+). And, mixed reviews for Product and the Price to value equations. No doubt, a must go / a must try & we'll definitely be back for more.
(4)
Kim P.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS! best ocean views. best service. best food. if youre considering Jakes or Posiedon or Chart House, dont do it. come here and youll never want to leave there are wonderful two top tables right next to the beach and there are also bigger tables for groups. theres an upstairs with a bar too and a ton of event space if you want to have a wedding here
(5)
Bill G.
Great view. Great view, great view. OK that said, the food here is pretty good, it's not just anything that draws me back. I've eaten here twice, and while nothing was bad, nothing stood out. The prices aren't outrageous, but they are at the higher end of the spectrum- typical of an ocean front restaurant. The upstairs bar area is the standout spot to have a sunset cocktail or IPA on draft, and the views from the outside patio deck and the inside window seating in the early summer evenings more than makes up for the uninspiring menu. I would rate this pretty comparable to the other ocean front spots in the area like Jake's and the Poseidon-definitely better than the Chart House next door. That being said, like most view places that rely on location over food, when winter comes and it's dark outside, I will be eating elsewhere.
(3)
Rachel M.
View was amazing, food was great. If the weather is nice, sit outside. You are paying for the view, so you may as well enjoy it. I had the Filet Mignon and my husband had the lobster tacos. We loved it, but we probably won't come here very often. I have three small children to put through college and it is not very frugal to spend $150 on dinner/drinks for two. That being said, I do highly recommend, especially for a date you are trying to impress (she/he will probably put out after) or an out of towner (I'm talking about you, everyone in Arizona).
(4)
Nancy J.
Wanted someplace special for my brother's birthday and after a recommendation by a shop owner in Encinitas, decided to try PCG. OMG - both of us agreed that this was most definitely the best meal either of us have ever had - bar none. I had the salmon and I believe he had a steak. Their sauces and side dishes were simply amazing. I don't think his wife had the same experience but I also don't think she ordered wisely LOL. You don't go to an upscale restaurant and order tacos. Although our dinner was slightly on the high side, it was undoubtedly worth every penny. if you're in the area, make sure you go. If possible, make a reservation. You definitely won't regret it.
(5)
Brian W.
The view, the food, the service: all 5 stars . Two levels, each with a bar and every seat has a view of the ocean. Some better than others. The seafood selection? Halibut, sushi, lobster... The service? Attention to detail. No need to consider eating here. I'll make it a point to come back to San Diego just to visit.
(5)
Dustin S.
Amazing location right on the beach with fantastic heated outdoor seating. The port reduction sauce on the dumplings appetizer unreal, be sure to dip the rosemary bread in it as well after you finish the dumplings. Bloody Mary's are very good here, as is the wine selection. The Seafood Cobb salad is as good as it gets (as well as the aforementioned dumpling appetizer). This is a regular spot for me so I will update this review as I try more menu options.
(4)
Em H.
I'm giving this place a 3 star rating and that's for the food alone. Wish I can be more generous with regards to the food but the hostess' were totally snobby. Ugh, I can't stand snobby bitches. Anyway, I made reservations on a Friday for the next day (Saturday night) for a party of 8 to celebrate my moms birthday. I did extensive research in finding a nice restaurant on Yelp ...there are just too many fancy restaurants with mediocre ratings but was pleased with this one. We were taking a limo from Orange County - about a 2 hour drive from Cardiff. I requested a 6:30 reservation but apparently there was no availability so the woman I spoke to on the phone said she can get me a 5:45 reservation but that it would be ok if we were running late, just to please call ahead and warn them. I made it clear that we would definitely be late as our limo wasn't picking us up until 4. She seemed willing to work with us so I accepted the early reservation time. As we were headed that way, I made a courtesy call as instructed to let them know we would be late, (a little more than anticipated because there was heavy traffic for some reason.) Not their fault, obviously. She assured me it would be fine and we hung up. About 15 minutes later, I saw that I had a missed call from the restaurant. I called back and they asked if we were still coming. I said yes of course, she said they had moved our tables but would put them back to accommodate our party size. I'm like mmmmm ok. But whatever, we made it there finally (we were starving). We were all dressed up and right when we walked in all of the hostesses, there seemed to be 3, immediately gave us the mean eye. I'm not sure if they were just pissed at us for being late or if they didn't like how we looked. We were the only Hispanic customers, and I hate even pulling the race card...I don't ever feel discriminated because of my race, but here I did. My sisters immediately thought the same thing and we just started making jokes to each other about it...like, "they're gonna seat us far from a door cause they think we're gonna dine and dash" or "they probably can't afford this place" haha! we made light of it and tried not to let it ruin our evening. We were seated immediately tho. Great view! Our waitress was very polite and she took our orders right away. We ordered Calamari and guacamole with chips. Calamari was ok...kinda chewy and the guac was good but no salsa. Who serves guac without salsa? Was just a little strange to me. All the guys that brought our food out were all polite. I ordered the filet mignon and it was delicious. Everyone enjoyed their meals but were just turned off by the continued glares from a particular hostess. I wish I got her name.....she was a short blond with kinda separated eyes. Anyway, if it wasn't for the snobs, I would have given this place 4 or 5 stars. We had a $460 tab, with that being said, I won't be back. Theres just too many options in the San Diego area where we can spend that kind of money and not have to deal with rude bitches.
(3)
K T.
This restaurant is at a nice location, right on the water! We went for lunch a few months ago. I just remembered to write a review. The surf and turf roll is delicious! The roll has kobe beef on it, so delicious! The lobster roll came highly recommended here so we decided to try it. I actually wasn't a fan. It was kind of make your own but that's not why I didn't like it. I wasn't big on the stew type feel of the lobster roll. It's definitely a different approach to these kinds of rolls. We would come back for the view and to try something else on the menu!
(3)
Shelley A.
I had a wonderful experience on a beautiful Sunday for lunch. We made a last minute reservation and got an ocean front table. I had my favorite smoked salmon platter with toasted bagel, red onions, capers, fresh dill and cream cheese. The service was extremely good. My only nit pick was the cream cheese seemed diluted with something, it was lighter in texture than normal and lacked the full tanginess of regular cream cheese. Easy parking with the valet. It is a tasteful remodel and better use of the space and view than the former restaurant, Charlie's By The Sea. I would go back for sure.
(4)
Laura G.
The new Pacific Coast Grill is stunning, both inside & with the outside view. You can't get any closer to the water if you dine outside on one of their 2 outdoor patios. They have an awesome upstairs bar & the staff was great. They even offer a kids menu - and our waitress was great with our little one. The ambience is a soft, cool, coastal vibe with a lot of stone & white washed wood. The food and drinks are delicious, but it loses points for not offering a Happy Hour. Drinks are still $12-$14 for cocktails/margaritas & $4-$14 for beer all day long. My husband and I came for drinks and apps with our 1.5 year old. We shared both the Crispy Cornmeal Calamari with lemon & chipotle dipping sauce which was one of the best I've had in San Diego apart from Pacifica. Then the Coconut Shrimp Roll Dungeness crab, tempura jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce which was okay, but nothing amazing. I probably wouldn't order it again. Overall I love the place, mostly due to the ambience & location right on the water. The menu was good but give us a Happy Hour please!
(4)
Portia A.
My husband and I went here for lunch o a Saturday for our anniversary. Even though it was at lunch time I was told that reservations are always a good idea, so we made them. Not sure if reservations in the afternoon are really necessary unless you are trying to reserve sport outside on the patio. Even then, you can not request where outside you want to sit. So if you wanted that table right by the glass, you better hope it's available. The lunch menu was super basic. Burger, sandwich, tacos, salad. Not much variety like I was hoping. However, the quality and taste of the food was excellent. Good food paired with an amazing view is hard to dislike. Note: the drinks are pricey so if you looking to have a few drinks without breaking the bank, this may not be the place.
(4)
A D.
Review for valet staff... Thanks guys! Picked up the Surf and Turf + Rainbow Roll tonight (always great) for take out, valet staff were so nice! I was in and out, they had my car up front and ready without a wait! **Highly recommend your favorite menu items for a nice little dinner to go. Thanks again guys !!
(5)
Cvetiliana B.
I am straddling between 3 and 4 stars. I will go with 4 because of the awesome menu, atmosphere and gluten free options. But it really is a bit spendy for what it is, despite being on the beach. I mean, their milking the beach location to death lol. I expect these prices in super upscale restaurants, this is kinda upscale casual if you will. Hey, if there is a TV anywhere, it can't be that uppity. There were so many things on this menu that looked good that I finally threw my hands up in the air and asked my peeps to order. I think we made some decent choices. LOBSTER TACOS With roasted corn-tomato salsa, black beans & choice of tortillas, but I didn't like the big chunks of cubed tomatoes mixed in (like the kind you get out of a can, not saying that's where it came from, just saying what it reminded me of & tasted like) The lobster tasted good but not like lobster unfortunately, maybe because what it came with just didn't go well together, including the beans and corn tortillas. Wouldn't order again & I love lobster. I'm surprised this place is known for this dish. $24.5 (before taxes) BABY BEET & PEAR SALAD I LOVED the wild arugula, macadamia nuts, beets & balsamic-basil vinaigrette. So simple yet delicious. We got it without the goat cheese because no one at the table was in the mood to watch me puke that night from the smallest of morsels. God I hate it as much as blue mold cheese. $12 COCONUT SHRIMP ROLL DUNGENESS CRAB - 2 orders We had this without they battered coconut tempura because my peeps are on the gluten free diet. It came with jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce. I liked this for sure, my sushi connoisseurs liked it even more, so I guess it must be great, they even ordered a 2nd serving. Apparently it was so fresh it was like they just went out and caught the fish, well, the ocean is right there :) 18X2= $36 CHICKEN QUESADILLA With Spanish rice, guacamole & sour creamI didn't get a chance to try this. It was on the "Dependents Menu." The child I believe enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind trying that next time since it's sort of a staple. $9.95 I would love to also try the DEEP FRIED GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH next time I go, I am simple, give me bread, give me cheese, fry it up and I am good to go. $15.5 DULCE DE LECHE CREME BRULEE with FRESH WILD BERRIES We opted for the dessert above to split 4 ways (too many buff people all around motivates us to not even split 2 ways). The cream was the right consistency and the flavor was good. I liked that they burned the top just right to give that slight bitter taste with lots of thin crispness. The berries were sweet and juicy...and quite wild apparently. $8 My peeps drank some alcohol but I didn't so I can't comment on that. But I figured I should mention it as it was part of the $150 bill. The service was also good. The atmosphere of course awesome. I mean, you're on the beach. Check out the photos of the place on their web site, it's trendy and cute. On a nice sunny day I'd be in heaven. I will try them for lunch next time I am in the area.
(4)
Tammy R.
Food, location and view were terrific. Large windows face the ocean...and you literally sitting just yards from the water. Parking is the biggest detriment...very difficult to get into the small parking lot during main lunch/dinner hours. A bit pricy...shared the special and two ice teas...$30. But paying for the location, not just the food.
(4)
Alexa P.
I came here over the weekend for lunch and I was really excited to try it out! We did not have any trouble with valet and we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant. We sat at a window table and enjoyed the sun while we ate. We ordered the PCG Burger and Bag O' Bonz and split everything. The fries that came with the ribs were actually pretty gross but I didn't plan on eating them any way. The burger was standard and cooked the way we asked for it. The ribs did not have as much meat on them as I would have liked, but the sauce they were cooked in was delicious. Our server was really great and very attentive. Valet was also great and we had no problems tipping them even though we forgot cash. They had credit card machines that we were able to use to charge a tip. Overall, the ambiance was great and the service was also great. The food was standard, which is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Doctor R.
Sweet place with a gorgeous view on the beach!! The menu made it very hard to make a decision on what we wanted and the things we chose were amazingly delicious. We will return again and try something else on the menu. can't wait!
(4)
Jim J.
Had Sunday brunch with two friends last Sunday. Food was mediocre. My fish tacos were dry, and not worthy of the name in San Diego. My friend's Lobster was very overlooked and dry. My other friend's egg dish was ok, not great. The service was good and the view is great. But the food is most important and it was not good. The restaurant was nearly empty so it wasn't the fault of the kitchen being rushed or overwhelmed. Just inept.
(2)
Debby D.
What amazing views of the ocean! It feels like you're sitting on the sand. You pretty much are! Pretty much wherever you sit in this restaurant makes you glad you're in San Diego! I came here with my husband and his parents for dinner. My husband and his mom both had the vegetarian burger. They said it was delicious. There's even a separate menus for vegetarians (score!). I had the halibut (yum) and my FIL had a couple different appetizers as his meal. He loved the port dumplings so much he ordered a second order! The next time I come, I'd like to sit on the patio outside or upstairs on the balcony. I might even just come for a drink and an appetizer!
(4)
Eric W.
We took my wife's family out here while visiting them on vacation. The sushi appetizer was good, the fries were nicely prepared, but nothing amazing. Everyone ordered some type of seafood, my scallops were great, and my wife's ahi tuna was very good. Service was also great, just wish we had come sooner to take advantage of the spectacular ocean view!
(4)
Jerry L.
This is my first choice to take clients for lunch/dinner. The view is spectacular, I mean really impressive. The service to top notch and the food is great, this visit we started with sushi (bravo-fresh, unique and mouth watering) and wine recommendations from the server on their extensive wine list add to the experience. I have a group dinner planner here on 2/21 and very much looking forward to dining here again. This is one of very few restaurants in San Diego located right on the beach. There are some crummy places in Seaport Village in downtown, but this is a very special place.
Most amazing view. The crab and lobster guacamole is delish. Order it with some salsa fresca and hot sauce and your tummy will thank you. The coconut shrimp roll was nothing special. Couldn't even taste the shrimp and for $20 I'd choose something else. The wait staff was low end for a high end restaurant. We had to ask for straws 3 times. At the end of the meal, we asked for our plates to be cleared and naturally assumed that since there was only water left on our table they would bring the check but we had to ask for it. Good for a date night if your not footing the bill.
(3)
Michelle S.
I've come here for lunches and dinners, and also thrown a company event with Pacific Coast Grill. I absolutely love this restaurant. The staff is fantastic, they are very accommodating and attentive. The ambiance is outstanding. You can not find a better location. Every person I've taken here has been floored by the beach-front real estate and beautiful setting. It's definitely one of the best spots in San Diego. The drinks are delicious, I especially enjoy the pineapple martini. And... the food. I don't know if anything I write will do it justice. Absolutely incredible. I have never had a bite that I didn't love. I think the porcini crusted scallops are my favorite, but you really can't go wrong with anything. Tacos, fish, filet, every app I've had... remarkable. Go here as often as you can-- but at the very least to celebrate special occasions. :) Oh! And reservations are a must!
(5)
Christine R.
I have been to PCG a few times. The food is always delicious! And the service is always top of the line! This is truly one of my most favorite North County Restaurants! I recently experienced their Sunday Brunch! You must give it a try! Their eggs lobster Benedict is scrumptious! A perk for me is they carry Domain Chandon splits! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Erin F.
We love this place! You can't beat the location - RIGHT on the beach - there is not a bad seat in the whole place. You have a view from any table. The food is always delicious and the service is great. I DO feel like some items are over-priced, but that is kind of expected at places like these. This is the perfect place for weekend brunch in my opinion! Valet parking only, so bring some cash.
(4)
Ali C.
Oof, this place was great. I was on a business trip with some colleagues and we found ourselves here due to the recommendation of a client and what a place. You literally cannot beat the view - it's overlooking the ocean and during sunset - yowza. Definitely a great change of scenery for us east coasters in 30 degree weather! If you're looking for a cocktail, get the pineapple martini. It had a great kick to it (I think there were habanero peppers). The waitress actually told me it was her favorite cocktail on the menu. They brought us out guac on the house which was pretty decent. We also got fried calamari for an app - the chipotle aioli - SO GOOD. For my meal I got the porcini crusted scallops. Let me say that I am not a huge seafood person, but whenever I go to California I order scallops and they are consistently good! At first, this dish doesn't look like much but it's super filling. The sauce has mushrooms, fingerlings and corn. Really delicious. Fantastic place!
(4)
Alyson P.
My family and friends threw me a surprise party for my 30th here! the food & views were simply amazing! Thank you so much for helping us celebrate my special day!
(4)
Tiff A.
Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating my dad's 78th birthday here along with my mom. We ended up here as a recommendation from another person staying at the hotel where my parents were for the week. We were looking for a good seafood dinner and they had been told that the prices were a little high so we were not walking in thinking we were going to have an inexpensive meal. From the minute we pulled in the parking lot and were greeted by the valet, we knew we had found someplace special. When we walked in the dining room we were completely blown away by the AMAZING view!! The waiter was fantastic and had everything very well paced. He had the salad my mom and I decided to share split in the kitchen - always a nice touch to me - and he also brought out a complimentary dessert for my dad. We had a fantastic meal, great service and a truly spectacular view. The next time we are in the area we will definitely return and recommend it to our family who also travels in the area.
(5)
Sean B.
Ambiance was amazing. I had a burger and was very pleased. Will go again.
(4)
Ann j.
Great place for ocean view dinning. Good wine selection. Love this place because you can find everything in one . Try to make reservations this place is always busy.
(5)
Susan W.
We have been to Pacific Coast Grill a few times and it never disappoints! The last time was no exception. The food was excellent. The staff (Valet, front desk, wait staff, bus boys) are all friendly and welcoming. Our waitress, Melanie was beyond fabulous. We were celebrating my step-father's 92nd birthday. Melanie was so sweet to him and a great waitress to the rest of us as well. All around excellent restaurant with a wonderful view!
(5)
Erica W.
I've been coming here for several years, mostly to meet up with friends for some drinks and good conversation. I most recently came here for brunch and it was delicious!!!! Not only do they have some of the best ocean views in San Diego County, but they are one of the few places in SD that accept brunch reservations! The entire staff is consistently warm and friendly. My husband and I arrived right on time, but were still waiting on the rest of our party to arrive. At many restaurants they won't sit you until the whole party is there but the hostess said it was no problem and sat us right away. They also have valet parking available for $4 and the valet takes cash or credit (because really, who carries cash everywhere nowadays). And if you're one of those people who cannot miss a football game because your fantasy team is counting on you (like my husband), they have plenty of tvs inside at the bar. Now lets talk about the food. My friend and I ended up sharing our entrees, so I got to try 2 menu items. I ordered the creme brulee french toast and my friend got the lobster benedict. Both were seriously amazing! I'm really glad we ended up splitting our meals too, because I think having the entire creme brulee french toast would have been a bit of a sugar overload. Whatever sauce they put on the french toast is beyond delicious and they didn't skimp on the berries. The lobster benedict was also very good. I'm really picky about hollandaise sauce and PCG nailed it! It was the perfect texture and had great flavor. The lobster benedict is a regular eggs benedict with some lobster in the shell on the side. I can't speak for the lobster portion, because I'm really not the biggest lobster fan (I know what you're thinking, who doesn't love lobster?!?!...this girl) and it seemed like a waste for me to eat any of it. They have a full bar as well. I had a mimosa, which was delightful. The only thing I would change about my experience is I really wish they had bottomless mimosas, because what is Sunday brunch without a glass or 4.
This place was AMAZING. Valet parking $4, came in, was seated right away! Got an awesome table by the window so we could see the water, didn't even ask for a water view! Ordered the Crab guacamole, wife LOVED it! For the main course we ordered the lobster tail and the Chile Filet Mignon, both were DELICIOUS. Nothing needed for the steak, it was perfect! Dessert we ordered the butterscotch apple pie with Tahitian Vanila Gelato, so good. The meal in totality was perfect. Our server was also Super awesome, Chrissy, I think was her name! She was very attentive and even poured my wife's Champagne for her. :) When we are in SD again, we will for sure be coming back to Pacific Coast Grill and have already recommended it to our friends in the area!
(5)
Jacob D.
I would recommend PCG to anyone and everyone! Our entire experience was phenomenal. The view of the ocean is perfect with a great ambiance inside. Our server was prompt and friendly and all the cocktails were tasty and interesting. I got to try the steak, lobster tail, and Mahi Mahi. All 3 were out of this world. For dessert we had a chocolate and peanut butter stuffed friend banana split that was delicious. A must try if you are in North County!
(5)
Jorgeanne C.
Great view of the ocean and even better if you come in time for sunset. They also have valet for only $4 or close by state parking area. To start off we started we the calamari and the house made guac. Both were good nothing special but good. For my main dish i had the lobster bacon cabornara and it was very good. Each bite had a bite of lobster and that comes to show you that they were not skimpy at all with the lobster. And they aren't at all with their portions. Flavors in all their dishes are rich which is expected for plates running from 20-high 30s. Drinks here were ok priced, strong and still able to drink it all. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Great place to come with a group of friends as well.
(5)
Candace N.
We had lunch recently and unfortunately it was just ok. I really wanted to love it because it's such a nice restaurant and the staff was very kind. But the food was just average and for the price I expect a little more. I had the lobster tacos and I definitely think they should work on the presentation.
(3)
Relian R.
Seabass filet had bones in it and the calamari was greasy. The hostess was a bit rude and was in a hurry to get us seated without trying to chat with us. Our waitress was OK. Our sodas had too much ice and made our drinks so watery. The food didn't taste fresh to me considering the location of the restaurant. What ahame. It was beautiful view just wished the food matched it. Don't think I would dining there anytime soon.
(2)
Dana B.
Wonderful!!! Came in from out of town. Our server Chris was on point. Food was fantastic. Amazing view. A must go to. Will definitely come back if ever in town again.
(5)
Leigh E.
WOW! Service was GREAT... View was AMAZING... Food was DELICIOUS! Can't wait to go back! I highly recommend!
(5)
Nick O.
Great place - food 5, view 5, service 5 stars. Elegant modern food, reasonably priced, great view and service. Our favorite on the coast. Interior design is unusual and you can love it or hate it. Been here 3 times - no complaints. Good choice for both drink with snack and full dinner.
(5)
Lianna S.
I'm a huge fan! I have been waiting for a year for PCG to reopen after moving from their Solana Beach location. I must say, they picked the perfect location and did a great job. It sits right next to the Beach House on the beach in Cardiff with ocean views for miles. The inside is nicely decorated and the upstairs bar & patio area is even more panoramic. Of course, my boyfriend and I both had to order the lobster tacos that we've been missing and they were as delicious as ever, although maybe slightly smaller portions than I remember. We also tried a sushi roll and calamari which was really great. I can't wait to bring some friends here, it's our next stop!
(5)
Meagan M.
Great food and service. The view is amazing! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Dung N.
I've had lunch in the patio area and also inside the restaurant. This time they were catering at an event and I had the paella with a mussel on top! It was yummy! I like their food and I think they did some remodeling...It's been a while since I've been there.
(4)
Cathleen F.
Very impressive! 2 story's with beach front view! I ordered pork chop, moist and good size portion. My husband ordered ribs that came with the most amazing French fries! I was so jealous! Great Service! I Suggest upstairs outside patio! They have done a great job with renovations! Thumbs up!
(4)
Kira M.
Been here twice now (once for lunch, once for dinner). Food is excellent, staff is friendly and accommodating even when it's busy, and the prices are fair. I like this restaurant because it's very "San Diego", high class in a laid back establishment. And right on the water with beautiful views of the ocean! Beware the parking though- valet only.
(5)
Steve C.
I don't give many five stars, but this place has it all. You can't beat the view of the ocean especially from upstairs. The food and service are great. You can see why Beach House went down; being next door to the Grill was too much. If you want to take someone from out of the area to dinner and be on the ocean this is the spot to consider.
(5)
Ashley P.
I used to LOVE this place! Since they've moved the serve is now horrible and the food has gone down hill. So sad. The restaurant is beautiful but the food and service has gone to the waste side. :( Our waiter also showed us one bill and charged us another. (much higher) when he was asked about it, he answered so fast and blamed it on the computer. He totally knew about the error but wasn't going to say anything if we hadn't noticed. No cool.
(1)
Christina M.
one of my favorite places to go and unwind on the weekends (or after a crazy day at work) with amazing food and an incredible view. This last time i was there we started off with the Crab Cakes which were sooooooo delcious -- the kiwi salsa tasted amazing with the passion fruit butter when paired with the crab. I had the salmon, that was cooked to perfection, and the black truffle gnocchi was a great salty touch to the sweet maple butternut squash. my boyfriend had the sesame-crusted Ahi tuna (off of the servers recommendation) and he devoured it within seconds of receiving it. We (of course) had to finish the meal with dessert - the apple pie & bread pudding were beyond scrumptious! while the restaurant is a little loud, you MUST come here ... you will not be disappointed! it's a great place for a romantic date or a night out with friends ... trust me, you wanna come eat here :)
(4)
Brianna B.
The only, ONLY bad thing I've ever found about this place is the wait time. And that's on weekends where people figure out what they've been missing in their life: pacific coast grill. This place is amazing. Gorgeous views, everyone who works there is so friendly and helpful and the food is fantastic. Definitely go for the lobster tacos, or the paella! Do NOT miss this place if you are in the area!
(5)
Muhalab A.
The parking guys are horrible!
(1)
Jonathan G.
I come down to the Four Seasons at Aviara a few times a year. This trip my daughter and I came down to go to Sea World, and a little spa. We went to Pacific Coast Grill, this place is perfect when you think about having a dinner on the ocean. It is just perfect. The waiters are extremely attentive and the hostesses were terrific. We sat outside on the patio at sunset and drank a Shirley Temple (her) and a Belvedre straight up (me). We ordered Bones in a Bag to start, it is great combination of ribs and fries in a paper bag, get this, it was delicious. Then we ordered some crab cakes, and got a trio on a lovely plate presentation. We ended with a filet for her, and the lobster tacos for me. We took home a "doggy bag", just too much food for us, but it was wonderful. I have been here 3 or 4 times and I have NEVER been disappointed at all, the valet parking is very easy and inexpensive. The staff, from everyone we came in contact was just wonderful and friendly. We will return in a month or two, I cannot recommend this enough. I like it better than Georges at the Cove, Gladstones in LA, and even one of my favorites Paradise Cove in Malibu...I like Pacific Coast Grill for the food the location (you can walk on the beach) and the parking. Thanks everyone for a wonderful time.....
(5)
Kim M.
The small thing that left a terrible lasting impression is that there are no changing tables in the restroom. I have a 10 week old daughter and was so excited to get dressed up and go out to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were having a wonderful time, everything was perfect. But when I went to change my daughter's diaper I had to kneel on the bathroom floor in my pretty new dress. It just felt really degrading and gross and ruined the rest of the evening for me. It's not hard to stick a changing table on the wall. What gives???
(3)
Alicia D.
First time at PCG . Food is delicious and the coconut cheesecake is the best I've ever had..YUM!
(5)
Meredith M.
This venue was amazing. We sat on the second floor deck. It was night time but they had the beach lit up. It was just amazing to be able to sit seaside and listen to the waves as we dined. As for the food, I had the seabass and it was delightful! The sauce was light and crisp and the bed of greens were an amazing contrast for the fish. Overall it was wonderful. Will definitely have to go back when in town again!
(5)
Kelly D.
Went for lunch with a girlfriend. The food - great options - I had the seafood cobb and she had a burger with truffle fries. It was really good. The atmosphere - excellent - right next to the water on the beach. A super nice casual feel. The wine - good options, but not spectacular. However, this seems like a more casual place so it wasn't expected. The service - excellent. Very friendly, attentive and happy. The only downside is the parking. There didn't seem to be too much so I think that the majority of the folks valet. It's $4 which isn't bad but you just need to be aware that you'll likely be using the valet.
(4)
Kenneth B.
Their rolls are terrible. They wreck the fish, but I am not sure if it is good fish. Too many sauces smother the rolls and it is an insult to call it sushi. The fish entrees are smothered with crap, as well. The food is made for tourists that don't know the difference between great food and crap. I would never go there for the food. Only the view, and just order a drink. What a waste of a location.
(1)
Michael B.
On vaca w/the in-laws. Pro's: scenic view and nice, spacious room. Good cocktails and reasonable wine list (I always get the house ____ when dining out). Seafood. Con's:
(3)
Rabee M.
Lovely restaurant, view and great service. We have been here 4 times and two out of the 4 times, my husband's "rare" steak has come out literally well done. They have taken it back both times and made it right but it's awkward watching everyone eat while your dinner is remade.
(3)
Wendy R.
Fantastic location and view! Great food!
(5)
Paige S.
The view was fantastic and the food was outstanding. The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 is because we made a reservation several days in advance, and when we got there, we still had to wait one hour before we were seated.
(4)
Scott B.
We are locals (wife and me) and came here for lunch, I had been here before with view hungry clients and it was OK, but this time I thought I would review it. Ordered crab guacamole as an appetizer, and were perplexed as to why it does not come with salsa as well. Who serves guac with no salsa? Wife had the lobster tacos, and we both decided that this is not a very well thought out dish. The filling comes in a bowl with a broth, like soup, so it is basically serve yourself. Problem is, that the filling is too watery and it breaks the tortillas straight away. The whole thing comes in a large bowl, with a little bowl of taco broth in the middle, and it is just way too cumbersome and sloppy. The description on the menu does not mention how this dish is served either. No one wants to battle with their meal when they are trying to relax. We talked about this dish being eliminated on Masterchef, it's that bad. Hamburger was pretty good. The best thing on either of our plates were the fries that came with my burger. Only three stars here, and only because of the view, which is nice. It's a shame that this place falls in the same category as the Beach House, which is "go for the view and not the food".
(3)
Matt M.
Filet was good but I would say the best thing is the view. The menu had a lot of stuff I want to try. I would recommend it
(4)
Karina G.
Such a great place for a special occasion and/or taking out of towners. Try to schedule dinner during sundown as the sun is hitting the horizon. Even if I live close by I felt as if I was on a vacation. The food is great. Had the Sea bass special -------so good. They also have unique drinks.
(4)
Sarah R.
I love this place! Excellent food, service, and the view is heavenly. I really don't have one negative thing to say about PCG. The crusted ahi with coconut rice is to die for. If I could afford to eat here everyday, I would!!
(5)
Maria A.
The new location for Pacific Coast Grill is great, right on the beach, beautiful sunset views and a nice, open layout. It's a pricey dinner spot, but the breathtaking views make it a nice option to bring out of town guests or have a nice date night. The food was really incredible! The scallops were probably some of the best I've ever had, and the bed of fingerling potatoes, corn, etc. in a balsamic reduction is really heavenly. I forget what the rest of our party ordered, I think seafood for the most part, and everyone was equally impressed with their entrees. So why the 3 star review? We had a so-so waitress, which would have been fine, but when we ordered our food she asked us if we would like soup or salad, in a way that made it sound like it was included. I was surprised, to the extent that I made a comment to the others at my table while she was still there taking our order. It's rare to find a restaurant where they include a salad/soup with your entree. Everyone in our party was under the same impression. When our check arrived and we saw an extra $40 for 3 salads, we were shocked. This restaurant is expensive enough, so for the waitstaff to employ a sneaky tactic to try to up the bill without the customer knowing it is really tacky in my opinion. I ended up making a comment and in the end they took the charge for one of the salads off the bill, but when you're spending $200 on dinner for 3, you don't expect this kind of hassle at the end of the evening. Again, the food was outstanding, but because of the whole experience I'm not certain that we will return.
(3)
Alexa M.
This place has a GREAT view. Literally right on the water. I went here for a work dinner, the food was good. However, my boyfriend got food poising and was sick for 3 days. But they gave us a gift card and never told us what was wrong with the food.
(2)
Yavuz Ç.
Excellent ocean view if thats what.you are looking for. Spectacular sunset view if.you catch a table on the terrace. Food is also unique and delicious. Try paella.
(5)
P C.
I love coming here with my dog; there's just no better place to enjoy great food and beautiful weather where my "furbaby" is welcome too, and I will keep coming here for that alone. The patio is amazing - it's literally on the beach. Friends from out of town love it too; everything about PCG is quintessential San Diego. The patio alone deserves a 5.
(5)
Jess M.
Request Joshua if you go in, he provides amazing service and will make your experience overall a very pleasurable one. Very attentive! Thanks Joshua!
(5)
Thea P.
Had a great dinner here recently. The food was wonderful-had the Sea Bass which was served on a bed of mashed potatoes and lots of veggies-which I love. My husband had the filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly. Our friends had the Mahi Mahi and the stir fry which they also claimed to be delicious! Finish with a warm apple crisp and the nite was complete. Only complaint was the waiter was a little overly attentive so we felt rushed. Next time-and there will be a next time=we will ask him to slow it down a bit so we can enjoy the great sunset experience.
(4)
Mike R.
I am at PCG for a business lunch, Family dinner or a Sunday brunch at least 3 to 4 times a month. Sometimes more. No matter when, the management and staff are always professional, welcoming and pleasant. The food is absolutely perfect! The view is amazing which is why I've celebrated my wedding anniversary at PCG two back to back years. I highly recommend PCG. You will love the ambiance and more than anything the food! Thank you Jeff and Team for always taking care of our family.
(5)
Caroline N.
Excellent lunch outside on the patio. Had the lobster and shrimp bisque....best I have ever had. Partner had the fish & chips and pronounced them excellent also. Finished with the custard dessert...this is excellent... In fact better than the description they have...we shared it. The whole experience seaside and excellent food just made our day!!!
(5)
Lauren B.
Fabulous view when on the patio at sunset. Food is delicious. The greeter was a little rushed - she dropped all 4 menus on the corner of a table and bailed. I mentioned our birthday in the Open Table reservation, but it was never mentioned when we checked in. We started with the Thai Basil martini and Berry vodka drinks. Our server skipped our bread service. Bummer because I could smell it at other tables. Our starter course was a roll. Yum. I had the scallop dish and a Sauv Blanc. Yum. Dessert was the Granny Smith Apple Pie dish. Yum. But, again, nothing special done for the birthday girl at the table. Food and view was excellent. Service lacked.
(3)
Dan M.
I've been waiting for who knows how long for this prime location to finally re-open. I had some out-of-town coworkers in town and could have played it safe with one of the other beachfront restauants next door, but decided to take a risk and try out this place. We were all happy with the menu and interesting cocktails. My buddies tried the cucumber jalapeno margarita and I had the perfect margarita - both were quite good. We all tried something different and everyone seemed to enjoy their meal from oysters to lobster chowder to pork loins and salmon. I tried the turkey meatloaf and was quite happy with the portion, taste and two side veggies. We enjoyed the Bag of bones appetizer as a very good starter. This restaurant decor is very nice with the great views of the sand and ocean. The only thing missing at this place is a happy hour menu to rival the places nearby that offer early dining discounts in the bar.
(4)
Josh E.
PACIFIC COAST GRILL STEAKS - HALLOWED BE THY NAME AND MARINADE. X )~~ I've been on 5 continents, and the steak I had here was the best one I've ever had. Bar none by a long shot. I dearly wish I could give this place 10 stars, but clearly no one at yelp has eaten at this place, otherwise they'd allow it. I also *highly* recommend the bread pudding. I had to ask for a broom and dustpan to collect my marbles after it BLEW MY MIND, and a sponge to clean up the mess after my face was MELTED ; ) Seriously, the steak and the bread pudding were that great. Anyone who didn't give this place 5 stars either can't taste food, or needs major therapy/medications - because they're obviously crazy. It's not about "recommending" this place, it's whether or not you're LUCKY enough to eat here one day.
(5)
Cheryl H.
No fish in the fish tacos... This may be a restaurant where you need to polygraph the waiter. There was no mahi in the mahi tacos even though promised. The fish was cleverly disguised as tomatoes. Waiter Steve was MIA and neither he nor Philip the manager made any effort to correct once we mentioned it. Service was incredibly slow and restaurant was noisy. Had a great lunch here but would give second thoughts to another dinner.
(2)
Marla H.
Ordered the Ahi Salad-DELISH! Great views. Only negative-had a reservation, but still had to wait 15 min for table.
(4)
Carl K.
My wife and I really enjoy going out on the weekend and sitting outside on the upper patio that is fully covered. It has a great view and the food has always been good. It is nice to have good food and great views
(4)
Joy C.
Beautiful view overlooking the ocean. Valet parking. Great food and drink menu. Ample seating with space upstairs and main floor. It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)
Rafael P.
Its on the beach which is nice. Lobster and Shrimp Chowder ($9) had way to much flour and hardly any shrimp or lobster, pretty bland actually. Then I had the Sunset Roll which was a poor excuse for a sushi roll, they put a sliver of Ahi poke and charge $16. For that much money and being on the beach I expected much, much more. They should have stayed in Solana, typical overpriced tourist trap restaurant. My parents who I took to lunch were less than impressed as well.
(1)
Michelle A.
This restaurant has the best fresh sophisticated dishes and amazing view! Ahi sliders rock! Ahi poke tacos are so fresh and flavorful and the clam chowder is perfect! Kinda pricey but worth it since the food is so good and the view is beyond beautiful!! Highly recommend
(5)
Debra S.
Food was fresh and tasty. Have the Ahi tacos! The view was incredible, suggest siting on the patio outside. Would go there again next time I am in San Diego.
(4)
Jessica S.
The food here is great and the views are amazing but it's just a little too pretentious for Cardiff. I don't know why I don't really like the vibe but I just don't for some reason. I was so excited when they opened and really wish I loved it since its only a block from where I live but am slightly disappointed. I think they need music, even just on low, and Happy Hour to make it appear friendlier. I understand that they don't need to have Happy hour prices to attract people here but I think its good business practice for the long term when the novelty of this restaurant wears out.
(4)
Sandra R.
I don't mind paying for a good meal, but this was second rate at best. The appetizer of muscles was delicious. Main courses were soooo disappointing. You must think your guests have no discernment when it comes to taste & quality of food. My supposedly pan seared sea bass on a bed of mashed potatoes was anything but tasty! It was simply a mass of tasteless mush! My brother in law had ribs which he gave me to taste - really commercial and old tasting. My sons girlfriend had a medley of seafood which tasted equally old. My sons potato fries looked like a soggy grease pit & so attractive as they were practically black - inedible. I suppose the biggest complaint is that the food was bland and not fresh tasting. Not sure what your problem is but we will not be returning or recommending your establishment to anyone we know.
(1)
Abbie H.
I've been to PCG a couple of times for drinks and apps, and this second time made me like it more. We had a large party for a friend's birthday and they accommodated us easily, even though our party kept growing. We had lots of drinks, sushi, quesadillas (I'm lactose intolerant so didn't eat those), truffle oil french fries, and calamari. The food was really good, especially the sushi with jalapenos on top! Drinks were a bit weak, in my opinion, especially for the price. Location is wonderful, with ocean views. You're nearly forced into valet parking for $4, which is a pet peeve of mine, but I understand it's because parking is limited along that stretch. Friendly and fast service make it a solid experience.
(4)
Masako Y.
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego county! The food has always been really good (even at the old location in Solana Beach), but now, with the new location, it's gorgeous, relaxing, delicious and the people/service is wonderful. This past weekend, I had a scary incident and dropped my ring down the sink... I was so afraid it was gone forever! It was a crowded night for dinner, but the manager quickly got some hangers, the head chef (Tory), who is e most skilled at fishing our rings came to my aid. Within 3 minutes, ring recovered!!! The staff is wonderful! And, Tory is the man!!! Not only did he cook a magnificent meal (don't miss the Sea Bass dinner), but he is CRAZY mad skills with a hanger! Love, love, love PCG!
(5)
Chris F.
Parking is limited here. Plan on valet. It's right on the beach, so views are amazing. Too bad the food wasn't. It wasn't bad either, just nothing stand out... overpriced because of location.
(2)
Ashley T.
Five star view and ambiance, but the food certainly wasn't noteworthy. I feel like it's difficult to go wrong with fish tacos, especially on the California Coast, but Pacific Coast Grill's fish tacos were far from spectacular. I'd certainly come back for drinks and appetizers, but would not return for a full meal.
(3)
Diane F.
The location is spectacular, but the noise level is insulting. I was just there for a friend's birthday lunch. We sat at a booth and it was so noisy no one could hear anything. I had a forgettable cobb salad - or at least I hope I forget it! I gave PCG a poor review on my last visit and here is an update. This place is AWFUL.
(1)
Jayson B.
The food and view was outstanding. I would recommend eating there and trying the seared ahi tuna.
(5)
Tammy M.
Amazing view and Ahi Salad
(4)
Sara B.
Just had my bday dinner, with friends here. Amazing service. Awesome food. Everything tastes excellent. To die for views, of the beach & ocean!!!!!!!
(5)
Paul R.
I had the pleasure of having lunch at the PCG this week. After arriving from frosty Austin my beach view patio table was perfect to enjoy the beautiful day. My lunch of chowdah (sic) and fish tacos was perfect and my iced tea was promptly replenished. My only ding is that I was not informed of the lunch specials. I overheard the servers describing the specials while I was devouring my tacos, and they sounded great. This is a great locale and I will return on my next visit.
(3)
The Baja M.
2 stars for food 5 stars for service, ambiance, decor, sunset views I like food! First off I don't mind paying $$ for a good meal. This place fails big time on food. Everything was very average. Blackberry margarita tasty but weak. Bread, odd! Salads, weak! Entrees even worse. Seared ahi not bad but paired with lame flavors and sides. Mahi Mahi average but again paired with odd flavors. Make no mistake, I appreciate innovation and creativeness in the kitchen but this place fails miserably.
(2)
Ken W.
The valet parking is convenient and affordable (it was $4 the evening I went), but if you don't want to valet, you're probably going to take a hike and maybe have to cross PCH to get there, just so you know. Also - make a reservation. Even during the week, this place is busy. I had a table reserved, but the bar seemed cozy and fun. Since this was a first date, I opted for the bar. Our server was pleasant, but inept. She took my date's drink order then started to walk away. Uh, excuse me? I'm drinking AND the more likely to pick up the tab (and the tip)! Hello! I had to hunt her down to get another round of drinks and food orders. At least she wasn't annoying us every two minutes. The biggest disappointment was that there is no outdoor seating and the windows are permanently closed. It was warm (bordering on hot) inside. They were trying to figure out how to get some a/c going. With the friggin' beach outside!?! It is one gorgeous view, though. Nice place. Nice people. I thought the prices were on the high end of what I got. Next time I'll opt for something in La Jolla or Del Mar with outdoor seating to go with my overpriced food and booze.
(3)
Daniel C.
I've eaten here twice and both times I've been blown away. The bartenders are excellent. They make the best Sidecar I've ever had, and one of the better Manhattans I've had. This last time we ordered a coconut shrimp roll for an appetizer and it was fantastic. I had the paella (again), my mom had some sort of lobster pasta, and my wife had the Mahi (I believe). All of the food was outstanding. The view is second to none, particularly if you are seated on the balcony upstairs. I can't wait for my next opportunity to eat here.
(5)
Ju L.
I had a magical experience during Sunday brunch yesterday. I was a bit perturbed having to valet park, but it's only $4, and given the proximity to the beach and lack of street parking, I was glad for the option (and they take credit cards, so no cash needed!). I was going to say my table had a fantastic view of the beach and water, but I think every table in the restaurant has that view, thanks to their huge windows. It was a gorgeous sight. Our waiter was sweet, attentive, and cheerful. He knew the menu and made fun jokes with my friend's son. He was a real charmer. I had to skip drinks, but the food was amazing. I usually don't have a hard time zeroing in on what I want, but everything sounded great, and after looking at the plates around me, even things that didn't sound great, looked delicious. I finally decided on the wild mushroom omelet with brie and port sauce. It came with breakfast potatoes and toast. Everything was fantastic. The potatoes were a little bland, but I much prefer that to over-salted potatoes, which they usually are at other places. And they came with a tangy, spicy sauce to spice them up. The omelet was perfectly cooked - fluffy and soft. There were mushrooms for days. No skimping. And the port sauce was a lovely compliment. I inhaled it all. My friend got the PCG sushi roll. I didn't try it, but it smelled amazing. I would definitely order it another time. And she also had the ahi salad. Again, I didn't try it, but she was in love with it. A gorgeous view, friendly staff, and delicious food. What's not to love? I really have no negatives to speak of. My friend and I left with plans to come back for brunch with our husbands another time.
(5)
Michael S.
My wife and I think of "View Restaurants" as being like Jennifer Aniston movies - we go, but we don't expect they'll be very good. In our opinion, rarely does the food at a view restaurant match the perfection of the setting. I really wanted Pacific Coast Grill to be an exception - I really wanted to love it. I recall liking the food a lot at its prior location. The new location is beautiful, the building was just redone, and even though it was dark when I arrived they have bright lights trained on the sand and breaking waves. I was there for a work dinner, so with a group of +/- 10 I had the enviable opportunity to try many dishes. Pacific Coast Grill is a fave of a colleague of mine whose opinion on food I respect a lot, and I liked the price point (north of an everyday restaurant but south of a fancy gourmet dining experience). The first bites were great. The shrimp dumplings were fantastic, the sushi rolls were good too (and I'm not a big sushi roll guy), and the spicy mayo with the calamari was well-executed, even though I feel like I've had the same dipping sauce many times before. That's where it started to go downhill a bit for me. My spicy Caesar salad was good but I'm not going to rave on Yelp about a Caesar salad. After reading a bunch of reviews and requesting a recommendation from a friend, for my entree I ordered the lobster tacos. They were fine, but again, unspectacular. The tortillas were dry and I thought the lobster concoction was surprisingly bland and overcooked. I also didn't know how to eat them. The tortillas were folded for a nice presentation, but it was awkward at our crowded table to open them up, scoop up beans and spoonfuls of the lobster stew, and then engineer how to eat them from there. I tried to make mini burritos but those fell apart, and then I tried putting the crumbling tacos on my bread plate to use my knife and fork. Ultimately I gave up on the tortillas and forked out the lobster chunks before putting the dish aside. After the meal I asked my colleague across the table what he thought because he had the lobster tacos as well. He was equally unimpressed. Others at the table raved about the rib eye, ribs, sea bass and lobster tail. My review might have been totally different had I ordered a different entree. Oh well, next time. Overall, I thought Pacific Coast Grill was fine, but less exceptional than I hoped.
(3)
John E.
Great service and great view... I love the whole valet situation...those guys/girls run hard Awesome service, very good bread service and Caesar salad... You can always tell a good restaurant both those two... The lobster tacos are okay on their lunch menu, and the sea bass is a bit old fashion, but the sandwiches are GREAT... I have had ever slider/ sandwich except the ahi and quinoa The Filet Sliders are the best, the short rib sliders are on the bottom... Not a fan of truffle so I never had the fries with the truffle oil, but they have an awesome chili lime mayo for the lobster crab slider
(4)
Celeste G.
We wanted good seafood and got it! The view was amazing and the food was equally amazing.
(5)
Todd W.
Besides the marine layer and the desert this place was great. I started out with the shrimp dumplings, they were great. The sauce had a great buttery pop to it. Then I shared a salad that had a wonderful dressing. For my entree I had the sea bass it was fantastic. I ordered desert but it was kinda a bust. Our server Jamie was great.
(4)
Heather A.
Great place to grab lunch with friends. Pacific Coast Grill was recommended to me by a friend, and I was not disappointed. We were a large party, but they still made room for us on the patio and accommodated two extra people to our reservation. Service was great and waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered great suggestions. I had the surf and turf burger, it was delicious. Three of the girls had the ahi sliders and loved them (make sure to be specific if you like the ahi well done). We also ordered the bloody and a buddy, had never seen this before, but the bloody mary comes with a bud light - easily sold on this. Parking is $4 valet right in the front, so make sure you bring cash for that.
(5)
Lana L.
Disappointing anniversary dinner. Went here based on the reviews and was a big let down from the food to the service. Ordered the Sea Bass and was told they were out of it. Service was ok but nothing special. Food is ok. Extremely loud inside and didn't help that some lady at the table next to us was cackling away.
(2)
Lucy M.
Went here last Saturday at 4PM. Hostess said they were between lunch and dinner service and if we gave her our name, she could seat us at 4:30. We did and headed for the bar. Had some sushi and wine. At 4:35 I went back to the hostess to ask about seating us. She said she had 300 people to seat and there was no way she could seat us. OK so why did you ask our name in the first place and tell us we would have a table and were all 300 people coming in at 4:35? We will not be returning. Very poor communication at the front door. By the way, Todd the bartender was great!
(1)
Judey D.
Amazing location, nice decor, great valet that works hard. Food was okay and the portions were pretty large (especially for lunch). None of us could finish our entrees, but that was really our own fault for ordering appetizers for the table. Calamari was very good.
(3)
Thuy C.
The view is breathtaking!!! That alone is worth the dining experience and $! The food is pretty great too as well as drinks! It can get costly because you will get carried away by just staring at the beautiful water and sunset!
(4)
Sheen F.
We enjoyed our dinner here before a night at the Belly Up Tavern. On their website, the Belly Up shows this place as being in the same neighborhood - not even close - it's about 3 miles down Coast Hwy. In any case, it was no big deal. The service is a bit casual and the food in general is slightly above average. However, the one dish that blew me away was the Paella. It seems to be a dish that so many places don't do well, but this one was the best I've ever had. The view is spectacular even at night due to the spotlights shining out into the surf. We'd like to go back and try the brunch, which we've heard is good.
(3)
Shannon D.
After reading the multiple mixed reviews from other Yelpers, I was a little nervous that PCG wouldn't pull through for my husbands birthday dinner. We've never been here before, but I was determined based on it's location and having made sunset-time reservations, that we were going anyways! Boy was I impressed! If you plan on parking at the restaurant, you must valet. It's only $4, nbd. They may need to move your car to an off-site lot, so getting your car back could take up to 10 minutes, but those boys are busy. The valet attendants were courteous, professional, and as quick as they can be - no lollygagging around. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, I like the tiled floor. It's very beach themed and the attire is beach casual/beach dressy. We sat right next to the window and got to enjoy the beautiful setting. All of the staff were very friendly and we received excellent service. Here's the best part: FOOD! We ordered the Shrimp Dumplings ($12 for 5 dumplings) served in a port wine sauce. The sauce itself was sweet and complemented the savory-ness of the shrimp dumpling so well. I am not a seafood eater, but those dumplings in that sauce were amazing! My husband kept dipping his bread it the remaining sauce. Oh, and that bread is soo good too! I want to say it has rosemary or some other herb in it, and it's served with an herb-infused (dill?) butter. My husband ordered the Sesame-crusted Ahi and it was really good. He said he could tell the fish was just caught and was perfectly cooked. Honestly it looked like a piece of art with all of the black and white sesame seed coating. I ordered the Filet Mignon in a peppercorn sauce. I ordered the steak medium, and although it was cooked more to medium-well, the texture was amazing - it melted in my mouth and was probably the most tender steak I've had. The peppercorn sauce pleased as well :) Another bonus: since it was my husbands birthday they brought us out a piece of their White Chocolate Bread Pudding. (I say us, but they really brought it out for him.) It's served with a caramel sauce, fresh berries, and some vanilla ice cream. The chef who made that deserves some sort of award because it was DELICIOUS! Words can't describe the flavors going on there...words wouldn't do it justice. I will go back just for that. Order it, you must. Drinks: husband ordered a dirty martini and I ordered their "Derby" which contained Whiskey and Grand Marnier. It was very good. Very good. For a dinner for two (2 cocktails, 1 shared appetizer, and 2 entrees) expect to spend $100 at minimum. It's well worth it and I plan on bringing visiting family members here soon. At the end of the night my husband and I couldn't think of one bad thing to say about PCG; we had a great dinner and can't wait to return!
(5)
Scott A.
1st time to PCG... We received a seat right by the beach and what an amazing view! The service was wonderful (wish I could remember our gentleman's name).. The entire menu looks delicious. I had the baked oyster app as my dinner and my wife had the mahi mhai coconut crusted. Fantastic place! They also have a wonderful private room that seats 12-15 - great business dinner venue.
(5)
Serhat P.
The smeared ahi dish was great. Really nice view, quick and delicious food. I will be back for sure...
(5)
Ellen M.
You will find that the reviews for this restaurant run the gamut from "horrible" to "amazing." The reason is, this restaurant will provide a vastly different experience depending upon the luck of where you end up sitting, what you order, and who serves you. Bottom line: this restaurant is not dependable and therefore you cannot plan on having a good dining experience here. Reserve a special occasion AT YOUR PERIL. We had a very special visitor in town - first visit to San Diego. We could have chosen Poseidon, Jakes, Pacifica, etc. I emailed this restaurant's manager well in advance and explained that we would be a party of SIX and it was very important to get an outdoor table at 5:30 on a Sunday. Could he email me back if this was not possible? That way, we could have tried to find another restaurant. No response whatsoever. I reserved through Open Table and repeated the request. No response. Shame on us, we took our chances anyway. Arrived to a overly full and loud restaurant. We were seated indoors, as far from the windows as possible, with layers of loud people between us and the view. Plus, we were seated at a tight booth clearly most suitable for four people - we could barely move our arms. The tables are bare, cheap wood. It was like a Denny's. We asked to be moved to a table for six. It was not possible. We should have left. Again, shame on us. Repeated requests for extra bread went unnoticed. A steak was badly overcooked. No way is the lobster tail fresh - it's rather flavorless, which is hard for lobster. Dinner took a LOOONG time to arrive. The booth was ugly, crowded and hot. We could not wait to leave. I have eaten here before during winter, weekday lunch. The outdoor patio is lovely under those circumstances. But how do you know in advance what the place will be like? As you can tell from other reviews, this restaurant does not communicate and no one there will be honest enough with you to steer you away from this place even if you explain IN ADVANCE that you have a special occasion that demands a special experience. Four stars for my prior lunch. Zero stars for our "special" dinner. If you dare to try this place, hopefully you will get the good and not the bad. But you can't count on it, and that's why it's best to avoid.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Joe F.
SO LOUD! Bring your east plugs! And be prepared to hit on older single women. Target rich environment? Food was good for what could have been a tourist trap. View was great. But I felt a little jarred after an hour of the noise. Reminiscing of college meat markets right now. Oh well.
(4)Katrina S.
View is perfect, drinks are fantastic. Prices a bit high but expected. Wonderful oyster shooters! Our server was fun as well.
(4)Alexandra L.
Incredible food!! They off a lot of amazing flavor combinations that you can't find anywhere else. We got quite a few dishes, and everything was extraordinary. Te staff was great, the server attentive, and we even got to see whales off the deck. You absolutely cannot find a restaurant with better food and a better view anywhere in San Diego.
(5)Ali J.
Unbeatable view, right on the sand! The food was delicious, really high quality Sea Bass and cooked to perfection...the appetizer was also great, if not to my husband's liking...but to each his own. It can't all be perfect! His Salmon was excellent though and we will definitely be back. Great table service if not a bit "hovering", but better that than inattentive! We were there for our anniversary so maybe we were just sensitive to his watchful eye...but we were there at an early hour so not many other tables to serve. Atmosphere was overall incredible and we often say we want to go back. If it was a bit closer I know we would have returned a few times already.
(5)Erin W.
Hello VIEW! Sit upstairs and enjoy the outside patio with views up and down the coast. The inside seating is very nice as well with ocean view. Great food and drinks! We enjoyed the beer battered shrimp tacos and calamari. Very well made margarita on the rocks. Rather upscale, don't arrive in your bathing suit. ;) Parking was honestly a nightmare.. we waited 30+ minutes on a sunny Sunday afternoon (2pm) for valet parking. Their parking lot is entirely too small, so you get stuck competing with the beach crowd. Didn't scare us off though.. we will be back!
(4)Diana K.
Why would anyone come to laguna beach when you can come here. Food fresh and amazing, great wine list and clearly an unbelievable view
(5)Daphne W.
Our party of 13 were seated in an area with a gorgeous ocean view; our waiter was very knowledgable about their menu items, professional, friendly and checked up on us frequently. And the food?!? Outstanding! Everything blew me away. Be prepared: Parking is only valet... If I remember right it's only about $3.
(5)A B.
Took my sister there for lunch on her birthday. We sat downstairs next to the window;stunning view. Food , drinks and service was excellent. Can't wait to have dinner there with my husband and share a bottle of wine.... Only downside was the parking; small lot & it's valet only. So bring your state parking pass, if you have one, as that's their overflow parking lot.
(4)Mike R.
Great place for lunch. We had the lobster BLT and the ahi sliders. Wonderful. The service was great. I would give 5 stars if the parking was better. Just beware of parking, go early.
(4)Lynn C.
The Ahi was FABULOUS. Wanted to lick the plate!!!! Service is a little scattered, but it was very busy on a Friday evening at sunset. Valet parking is a must but be sure to leave plenty of time and have plenty of patience since the bulk of their parking is off site on the other side of the railroad tracks. If there is a train it will delay retreiving your car. I feel sorry for the valets, they really have to hustle and do the best they can with a bad parking situation. Most folks just give them $5 which is only a $1 tip since the parking costs $4. These guys really deserve much more since they have to run across PCH, and the tracks to get to the offsite lot. All in all even with the parking situation, make a reservation and GO there and EAT. You won't be sorry!
(5)Shannon B.
Very good food, amazing in fact. Everyone thought their food was amazing, vegetarian and otherwise. The guacamole was not good and had those cheap colorful chips served with it. The banana split dessert was amazing but the gelato just tasted like ice cream. The blackberry margarita was the best drink. The service was the real reason for the three stars, everyone was polite and helpful but we waited maybe 30 minutes between each order so we sobered between each drink and filled up before dessert. Beautiful view!
(3)Cindy R.
We made a reservation online and stated it was for our anniversary. Yet I think we probably got the worst seat in the house. I could see the view only if I tweaked my neck back all the way. Kinda sucked. The service was decent, our server was nice enough but she never even introduced herself, she told us what the specials were AFTER we ordered! The food did come out really fast, it was pretty good. Then, the server asks us if we want dessert. We ordered the apple pie. Then she brings us a bread pudding dessert "on the house" for anniversary. It was just kind of weird. I think I would've enjoyed the place more if we would've had a better table w/ a better view, its why we chose this place to begin with. Also when the bill was given to us, they give you a suggested tip amount to choose from, 15%, 20% or 25% based on your total, however the total was including the tax. And I'm sorry but I don't tip on tax, and I have been a server for many years. Especially when our bill came to $150. I thought that was very tacky.
(3)Jim O.
Dinner @ 6:PM on a Tuesday. I am a small business owner hence I HATE writing an even "somewhat bad" review. Read on: Your age and wallet are different than mine. #1. I grew up next to the beach so an ocean view is not worth the $$$, bad service or loud noise downstairs. #2. I do not drink alcohol (yet) The pretty young woman behind the bar is a gem!!!! #3 The food is FABULOUS - but did not make up for the noise and service (downstairs). Try to eat upstairs on the patio. Good luck.
(2)Benjamin C.
Food was okay, had heard from others about it being great, the food was okay, service and atmosphere was nice.
(4)Grant N.
Its back! Saturday night and PCG is pumping. There are good and bads! Get a reservation well in advance, especially in these early days and on the weekend. Valet parking is a bit of a mess so be prepared to wait and that means getting in a line that stretches in to the beach parking lot beside the restaurant. Waited 15 mins to valet. Inside it seems manic. Tables are full, the bar is heaving and its very loud. Many people are standing in between the tables awaiting the sunset. Our 745 reservation sees us seated just after 8. Once seated, it turns in to a much more positive experience. The wait staff are very busy but the girl who served us was very attentive and smiled constantly even though she seemed stressed. The menu looked like PCG of old and in general the food was excellent. My lobster was a bit bland, but everyone else at our table raved, especially the wife and her seared Ahi and coconut rice. Desserts were delish. As the night progressed the noise abated as the bar became less occupied. Great: Food, Service, Views Not so Great: Valet parking, Loud I wonder what its going to be like during track season!
(4)meg b.
The view is fantastic-but we did not have the same "magical experience" that another reviewer posted about. Our service was spotty-we waited 5 minutes for someone to even come to table. When they did, they acknowledged our wait and then sent someone else. She took our order for drinks, but then we were given another waiter as "she was busy". We could see our waiters but they never actually looked in our direction to see if we needed anything, we just had to wait until one or the other returned to our table. We had crab cakes, fish and chips, salmon, lobster chowder and sea bass. Food was fine but not impressive. 4 adults and one child, bill came to $200.00. The best measure of a restaurant's success is would a patron return. We would not.
(2)Blake E.
I LOVE me some PCG! I had a delicious kiwi martini to start, sushi roll was awesome and the mahi mahi was amazing as well. Ambiance + Food = As good as it gets!
(5)Donna A.
Love there Lobster and Shrimp Chowder and also Cardiff Reef Roll sushi. This gonna be my spot.We coming back next week.
(5)Jamie P.
Happy that they are open and the venue is amazing. However, where are the skewers??? Happy hour needs to be back if I'm going to have to pay for valet parking and wait for my car. However, it is well worth the wait because the views are great as is the staff, food and Davids margaritas! LOVE!!!
(4)Teresa L.
They do have a special menu for those who are vegetarian or need to eat gluten free meals, the problem is the chef doesn't know how to cook them. I had a mixed vegetable over coconut rice, picture this, black rice, snow peas, spinage, green beans and asparagus covered in oil! Nothing but green, green and more green piled high on a plate. It was terrible. My husband had tofu and vegetables, the chef opened a container of tofu, sliced it and seared it on a grill and served it. No flavoring whatsoever.
(1)Kc S.
Ambience and view make up for the parking lot situation! North county needed this restaurant and they nailed it! Shrimp dumplings and sushi were stand outs!
(5)Eric C.
We didn't even stay for entrees. Pros: Great location, nice decor, great valet that works hard, cordial bus boys Cons: LOUD. Mediocre food, unprofessional hostess and wait staff. Arrived there and we were told walk-ins weren't being accepted, however we could try to find a table upstairs. Upon walking upstairs, we were told there was a 45 minute wait. Walked downstairs and saw a bar table that was unoccupied (along with at least 6 unoccupied tables - presumably kept that way for "reservations"), so we took that. Downstairs hostess never mentioned anything about bar tables being available to eat at and merely sent us upstairs. Waitress took a while to saunter over to us. Forgot our drink order, had to come back and ask us again what we wanted. Ordered: Bag O' Bonz, subbed in Parmesan fries for regular - small ribs with minuscule amount of meat/flavor to them served in a small greasy paper bag with regular fries. Waitress forgot to sub the Parmesan fries in, we had to wait for those. They also came in a small grease-covered paper bag. They were tasty, but it's hard to mess up Parm fries. Shrimp Dumplings with a port wine sauce - HAH. Shrimp was decent with a slimy wrap texture. The sauce - oh my god. It was literally a stick of butter with some red food coloring. Absolute joke for the expediter to let that excuse out of the kitchen. Absolutely terrible. We went down the 101 and got burritos for dinner at Roberto's which were a quarter of the price and four times as tasty. Save your time/money and take your date somewhere else.
(2)Cat G.
Amazing food, service and atmosphere! It doesn't get better than this in San Diego!
(5)Bryan V.
My wife and I took our family to celebrate a birthday. Eating at Beach House for years, we had similar expectations for outdoor seating and great atmosphere. We made a reservation for 6pm on a Wednesday and requested outdoor seating. Upon arrival, we were told that no outdoor tables were available even though we saw two downstairs. 45 minutes later, a different foursome came in and was seated at one of them. Drinks are about $11 each, and the most basic chips (stale) and guacamole cost $9. I got sea bass and was served a plain-tasting piece of fish atop butter and oil-soaked spinach. The baked potato was dry, hard and overlooked. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the food. To my wife and I, you can order food that is as good or better at the Beach House, get an outdoor table on the upper deck, and pay about half the price. Unless you like to pay to watch the affluent drive up in Bentley's, Porsche Panamera's and Ferrari's, the experience doesn't match the price. We love paying for fine dining if the experience is memorable. Sorry. This does not deliver.
(2)Chris A.
Spectacular sauces! Terrific service! A view that can't be beat! But tragically they've remodeled it to be so loud in there, lingering diners are encouraged to pay up and get out. It's unfortunate that so many restaurants are making this change--the owners clearly make the noise level intentionally loud to ensure a higher turnover rate. Makes for a profitable restaurant, but it's been a relief to leave the building both times I've been here. It's night-club loud and you can't even hear the music.
(3)Joe H.
Killer location, killer views and great bar. Nice staff. Better than average food but not fantastic. IF the food was better this would be a slam dunk 5 stars.
(4)Karen S.
Two stars for the decor and the views! Not enough shade outside and it's been hot so we went inside and views are throughout. 1. Hire a new hostess 2. Hire a new chef 3. Hire new wait staff We never got water.. No one acknowledge us for 20 minutes and the restaurant was empty. We ordered plain iced tea, they brought the flavored one by mistake but tried to convince us otherwise and a fresh margarita according to the description on the menu. Next we ordered the "made to order guacamole and salsa fresca--wasn't made to order and the chips were STALE! How can you go wrong with guco???? Next the yellowtail stack was fishy tasting so I returned it immediately (won't eat bad fish)!! The burger order was cooked wrong and was so average. This was all on the lunch menu. Beware the food is NOT fresh! I agree with the other reviewers that it is a great place for a cocktail with a view that's where it ends. The owner/manager was outside and he asked how everything was and I wanted to tell him that the service was awful and the food was returned because it was old and not fresh but rather posting my review on Yelp to save the embarrassment of complaining. Has great potential but not their yet.
(2)Ashley T.
Yum and wow. The view was exquisite and the food divine. Oysters, oyster shooter with sake and ponzu, and an amazing roll followed by the ahi plate with forbidden rice. Gluten free but you would never know or care... It's that good. You won't be disappointed. Dave makes a delightful cocktail. PCG.... an all around treat.
(5)Kerilyn L.
OMG! The food is amazing here! The views from every room are spectacular! I can't wait to go back again for dinner or happy hour. I had lunch here and was shockingly surprised how reasonably priced the lunch and drinks were!
(4)Rose T.
We sat at the bar and ordered appetizers and drinks. It was an hour and a half before sunset. We had the best seats. It was Saturday night with a very hip crowd. We ordered every seafood appetizer on the menu and that's all we needed! Love the valet parking, so, so convenient!! CAN'T WAIT TO GO AGAIN!
(4)Dusti H.
Great food and friendly service. The crab cakes were exceptional!
(5)carol P.
After slumming it in our much loved Ocean Beach for a few days we decided to head north with no specific plans. On the way home we wanted to stop for dinner and had no idea where to go-so we winged it-not having a smartphone.... We saw Pacific Coast Grill and decided to try it. First off, the outdoor patio dining has one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. So, we waited ( and waited over an hour) for patio seating. You see, no one leaves once they have arrived at this spectacular setting.Anyway, we were well taken care of inside-ordered a few drinks and an appetizer. ( Blood Orange Margarita, Bloody Mary and chips and Guac) I'll tell you now-everything is a bit pricey. But, not any pricier than most upscale places in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Once we were seated we got the crab cakes, heirloom salad with shrimp and the shrimp & crab chowder. The only real disappointment was the chowder. Too thick-as in flour added..( what?) and no real stand out flavors. Everything else was very good. very good. The sourdough bread that comes complimentary-as good as it gets. Overall, I loved this place mostly for the view, the vibe and the above average food.
(4)Meg B.
The old PCG was much better, the server was pushy and robotic about the sea bass, which happened to be the most expensive entree on the menu, we started with a calamari appetizer, that was cold and gummy, not like the old PCG. The sparkling wine split available was cheap Chandon for a ridiculously high price, they then charged us for two glasses of 20$ a gls red wine, which we caught on the bill that we had never ordered, the manager came over and apologized, but when we explained why we were leaving and told him that the Calamari was cold and had left it practically untouched, he only removed it, and just took the wine off, that was a complete mistake on their part which we never recieved nor ever ordered. Other than a great view the service and food was terrible.
(1)Megan S.
Obviously the view is amazing! PCG has awesome decor, new and hip, very laid back, relaxing vibe! Great atmosphere. Upstairs bar is cozy and welcoming. Food was very good and highly recommend the Black Berry Margarita! Great place for a date! Loved getting a seat right by the huge ocean view windows.
(5)Lori A.
We stopped by this restaurant to watch the sunset and have a few drinks with my 85 year old grandparents. They weren't serving dinner for another 15 minutes, so the hostess insisted that we couldn't sit at the tables (where other people were already sitting) and had to sit at the bar. When I explained that we weren't staying long and my visiting grandparents just wanted to relax for a little and watch the sunset but we would buy drinks, she snipped at me, saying, "nope" and walked away, leaving us standing there alone after paying for valet. It wasn't until my aunt chased her down and explained to her that 80-year-olds can't and shouldn't sit on bar stools that she finally backed down. She proceeded to sit us inside not even very close to a window. Our waitress was very nice and service was fine after our initial mistreatment at the door. We had our drinks and left before the dinner crowd even began showing up (would have stayed for dinner if we had been treated better). Hopefully this place will think about hiring a friendlier, more understanding hostess who will actually make people want to return to their establishment.
(2)Sara E.
This place is great!!! Great food, great service and amazing location. Andrea who was so friendly greeted us and sat us. Our server was adorable and was super attentive. It's amazing that people are rating this place lower because it's too loud and too popular, maybe you should stay home and order a pizza!! In the words of Arnold, I'll be back!!
(5)Melanie H.
Beautiful views and great food!
(4)Carol R.
I made a reservation for 2 at 7:45 through Open Table, and when we arrived at 7:15 they were able to seat us right away on the upper deck, which was great service. The food was good, the service was ok-good because they were so busy, but the noise level outside on the upper deck was horrible, due to too many people & crammed tables! We nearly yelled to hear one another talk. The view was beautiful, but there needs to be some noise buffers or less tables. I felt frustrated during the entire experience, since I had trouble hearing my friend talk! We probably will not return to this restaurant.
(2)Holly E.
Outstanding! Wonderfully experience! Service was great and the food delicious. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Tori O.
Very impressed. They spent a lot of time and money refurbishing this location. The view, the ambiance, the oceanfront location cannot be beat in North County. The service was good. Our waiter went out of his way to let us know the kitchen was a little backed up and prompted us to order accordingly. We had a party of 4 and each tried something different. We went right down the menu from appetizers, soup, salad, entrees and dessert. All the food was excellent. The standout was a very unique and delicious appetizer special. Sushi grade Ahi that you sear yourself on a rock that has been heated to 500 degrees. So glad we tried it, hope it makes it to the menu, perhaps as a house specialty. It was very crowded esp. for a Sunday night but I have to say they did an excellent job even sat us within 5 minutes of our reservation time. Can't wait to try some other menu items, everything sounded and looked delicious. Give it a try, you'll like it.
(5)Ken R.
Nice restaurant, great ambiance as it is right on the water. We had a business dinner and was impressed. Not noisy allowing us to talk, food was good as was the service and servers.
(4)Ryan C.
Horrible service, ok food. Cool atmosphere.
(2)John S.
Our first time here since Charlies. The decor is nice and despite the busy evening the service was excellent. The four of us enjoyed the food, and while the bar drinks were somewhat expensive the wine list and pricing was excellent. Now, this place is super loud - I thought the Brooklyn Girl (Mission Hills) was loud until I experienced the Pacific Coast Grill. Definitely not a place for a quiet romantic dinner with quiet ambiance. Next time we will try one of the outdoor patios - the location is perfect and the views super great. We will return!
(3)Judy F.
This was our first visit to PCG since they recently opened & we were pleasantly surprised - beautiful renovation! Love the decorative wood. As far as the view goes, you simply can't beat it. It was a nice evening & we could clearly see La Jolla! Our food was exceptional & everyone was going on about how delicious & different our selections were. It was just great! HOWEVER...we could hardly hear ourselves over the intense noise level. Way, WAY over the top, & we found ourselves having to shout just to hear. Really, really bad. It seemed better upstairs - we checked that out & next time will insist on being up there.
(4)Beebee s.
I miss the old dark place with their happy hour fish tacos. The new place is nice and you get some great sunsets if you sit in the right location. But the setup is weird. Feels cut up and doesn't flow well in terms of fung shui both upstars and downstairs. The food is decent, but overpriced for what it is... I guess they need to pay for the new location. I go there waaaay less than I used to go to the old one. Parking is non existent and the valets are a bit gruff. I'll go agin but not my first choice.
(3)Cathy C.
Great views, great atmosphere, and very good service. Halibut was dry which really should never happen. That's what they should do well.
(3)Steven Z.
Food was delicious and plated with attention to detail. We ordered and the Yellowtail Tatare (highly recommended), the gourmet fries, shrimp dumplings, and the Seabass (which Halibut was subbed in for). Everything was perfectly cooked including the Halibut which 8/10 most places over cook. Service was very attentive ,and I didn't have to pour my own glass of wine once. Been awhile since that's happened. The manager was also awesome. I ordered a bottle of Peter Michael chard that wasn't the same appellation on their very extensive wine list. It didn't live up to Peter Michael standards in my book and tasted funky. No questions asked the waiter and manager apologized and offered us a different choice without charging us for corking that bottle. Great customer service. We will be back and if they continue to stay consistent the Beach House next door won't need to do the remodel they needed to do like 15 years ago they will just be outa business.
(5)Renie G.
My husband and I went with two other friends on a week night. The views were very nice of the ocean lit up by spot lights. But our server was grumpy and my crab cakes were soggy. I thought everything was overpriced. I would only go back for drinks and the ocean view in the future.
(2)George S.
The view is tops, but it goes downhill from there. I was told it was a great place to take a date, but no, no, no. Way too noisy to talk. $80 bottle of champagne didn't come with the courtesy of tasting it first. She just poured away, holding the glass under the table (weird). $150 dinner for two, no tablecloths or place mats. Just a bare table. Foodwise, the yellowtail tartar is excellent. The paella was good but salty and I salt everything, so if I say it's salty...it's salty.
(2)Denise L.
Had lunch on the gorgeous beach patio. As it has already been mentioned, the heaters are very noisy with a loud humming buzz. A little distracting at first but got used to it. Spectacular day and the patio was packed by Noon. Started out with the yellowfin tuna tartar. It was good. They brought out our entrees before we had finished our appie so felt rushed. I had the sea bass which was good. Not outstanding but good. It looked a little thrown together and didn't have much presentation. The sea bass was not in one piece as it had all fallen apart. My friend had the seafood pasta which she raved about. I snuck a taste and it was tasty. Huge portions. 2 glasses of wine and a blackberry lemonade...more vodka than lemonade. Lunch came to $94 before tip. Server was nice. Service was fair but not great...no refilling of our waters and our appie plates sat on our table the entire meal without being removed. Location/view made the experience nice though and the food was good but nothing to rave about.
(3)Judith T.
I would rate PCG with four stars if I had not ordered the Fish Tacos. Who had the "bright" idea to deconstruct them? Tortillas were cold and oily; fish was lukewarm. Saving grace was great flavor of all ingredients except tortillas, but I didn't expect to eat a fish salad. Location is superb; all staff excellent. Please rethink the fish tacos. aargh White chocolate bread pudding, big enough for three, was awesome. Ice tea weak and then not refilled with cubes. Not on my list for a return visit very soon with so many other fantastic restaurants in North County.
(3)Tim D.
My wife and I dined here for brunch this hazy and lazy, cloudy (perfect) Sunday morning. I had the House Cured Salmon Platter and couldn't have been any happier - absolutely delicious. Our server was fantastic, professional and courteous. We were seated on the first floor of the establishment with an incredible view of the beach. Though it was cloudy as I mention above, we watched surfers, pelicans and beach-combers come and go; at one point two paddle-surfers headed through the breaks and dissapeared into the horizon. The Pacific Coast Grill is a little on the pricey side, albeit not unreasonable. For example my plate was around $15. The bar looked well-stocked and fun - we might just come back for hors d'oeuvres and a drink and perhaps dinner for a special occasion.
(4)Michelle H.
We took a group here for New Year's Eve and had a great dinner. I'm not a big fan of prix fixe menus but this one was fantastic. Our server was great. The views are ASTOUNDING even at night with the flood lights illuminating the surf. I will definitely go back here and would recommend it.
(4)nicole m.
I have visited Pacific Coast Grill three times and enjoyed the patio, the downstairs window seat dining, and the upstairs private room dining. All three experiences were enjoyable. As good as it gets, really. I found everything to be fantastic each time! The valet is fast and courteous. The wait staff is knowledgeable and easy-going. The bartenders know their wines and are helpful with cocktail suggestions. The private dining room is beautiful. Perfect for a girls dinner or a birthday dinner. Awesome views, wonderful atmosphere. Some items are pricey but I have enjoyed my visits there and have no complaints.
(5)John Carlo A.
Went there today and food was very good. Give them a chance to work bugs out. Hostess should be friendlier but all in all very pleased. Will be back. New place new menu... dont judge from past. Worth paying little more for view.
(4)Linda C.
Good food; good service; TOO LOUD!!!!!
(1)Ruth M.
Thought the food was terrible. Staff was friendly and accommodating if you managed to trip them on their way past! Maybe we ordered the wrong thing: burger and steak sliders. The fries were not to either of our liking. Will not go back. But the place was quite crowded even at Monday noon so they must be doing something right.
(2)Linda H.
Beautiful building--quite an improvement over a tired Charlie's. Sat on downstairs patio--great view. Bar filled up in first 2 minutes--really! You should have reservations although we didn't. Lobster tacos were great and servers were attentive. Hope they institute a Happy Hour soon. We'll be back.
(4)Nicole H.
Let me say this first. I frequented the old location quite a bit for work and had absolutely no complaints whatsoever. In fact, loved it. That being said, I am definitely not happy with the new location. Maybe they are still trying to iron the kinks out, but I expected way better from them. Food is still awesome - Potstickers are amazing! BUT, the front staff is untrained and seemingly inexperienced. We had a 5p reservation for the patio upstairs. The lobby was empty, as was the rest of the restaurant since they don't seat until 5p. 5:15 rolls around and I had to remind them we hadn't been seated yet. They took us upstairs to yet another hostess stand and tried to seat us inside and away from the outdoor patio. The whole upstairs was empty! I did notice that quite a few other customers seemed agitated as well during their meals, but not sure why. I worked in food service for 6+ years and ALWAYS give the benefit of the doubt to restaurants, but they really failed here. Again, great food, but they need to step the service up a notch.
(2)Mike S.
Went to Pacific Coast grill over the weekend. It was my daughters 5th birthday and we usually go to the Chart House but decided to try the new restaurant in town. Let's say we should have went to the Chart House. We got there at 5pm to think we would beat the crowds. It was nice for the first 20 minutes and then became so loud I couldn't hear myself think. The restaurant downstairs isn't the big and when the restaurant is full I couldn't talk to my wife that was setting across from me. Felt like I was in a club. Usually I have to tell my kids to be quite but this wasn't the case at all. The food is average I ordered the lobster tacos and it was a bowl of lobster soup with corn tortillas so you were eating soup with tortillas not really tacos!! The only thing good is the view!!!!
(1)Barry S.
We used to go to The Beach House in Cardiff but when our son got married this summer, we decided to do the rehearsal dinner at the new restaurant next door, The Pacific Grill. They were extremely accommodating and the meal was uniquely creative and fantastic. Miguel, the general manager was there the entire time to make certain everything was perfect. The crab and lobster cakes are a great appetizer but so is the raw ahi that you sear on a hot rock at the table. The Beach House is good if you are up for simply standard fare, but if you wan something quite special, try the Pacific Coast Grill. I regularly take clients there for lunch or dinner. You can't go wrong with a 180 degree view of the beach. It's perfect for sunset viewing. Ask for the patio. Negatives: It only has valet parking because there is practically no parking lot in front of the restaurant. The other negative is the price. It's quite pricey but it's never been more true, 'you get what you pay for'. Try it.
(4)Kathy P.
Just finished a late lunch here. Arrived at about 1:30 just as the crowd was leaving. Plenty of servers since it was the end of lunch hour. Had the appetizer, tuna tartar, poke style, delicious. Hubby had the fresh hamburger, myself the blackened shrimp sandwich special. The sandwich was good except the bread roll was kinda soggy, like wonder bread texture. All was good and worth the $. The ocean view cannot be beat. I browsed the drink / wine menu and if you come here for dinner it could get very pricey. I will return.
(4)Toy W.
The parking situation took a 5 star restaurant and turned it into a 2 star. What a shame that the Valet company they are using has no clue as to what they are doing. EVERYone (nearly 30 people) waiting for their cars at around 8:30 last evening were equally upset. As we finished our amazing meal with amazing views from entire restaurant... it ended terribly. Waitress had asked what are last 3 digits of your valet number from the ticket, (you can only valet park as NO nearby parking at all). She said, "you can finish your glass of wine and i will give them these numbers or you will be waiting forever for your car". We gladly gave her the numbers... 15 minutes later we went out thinking car would be there, but instead noone had a "clue" about the car, the keys or anything else.... 35 minutes later, (after much frustration, conversations, and my husband running down the street (where they park the cars) to find it. Many reviews had spoken of the car cluster F..... but I thought, "oh probably just a bad nite for parking".... NOT SO...... It completely ruined what had been an amazing meal. This place has been one of my favorite for years, and had been so happy to see it re.open in the gorgeous new location. We will NOT be going back.
(2)Heather C.
We love the new location. The views are breathtaking and the patios are right on the beach. We went there for lunch a few weeks ago and enjoyed everything we had. It is a bit pricier than it used to be, but the location is worth it.
(4)Mark C.
We loved the old PCG when it was in Solana Beach and ate there very often because the food was great and prices were good. We especially liked the outdoor patio area they had in the old location. We also enjoyed eating at this new location when it was Charlie's. The NEW PCG in this new location is not as good as the old one, though the location is better if you prefer an ocean view. We ordered the crab cakes, which are smaller now and more spicy than before. Just not as good as before. We also tried the pork shortrib sliders which were fine but not as tasty as I would have liked. The fries are awesome though. The new attitude is not as friendly and relaxed though, definitely a snooty vibe now. Hey, this is not Orange County, you are still in San Diego. Loosen up. Apparently, if you don't drive a Ferrari or a Lambo up to the valet, you are a second class customer now. I think they parked my old Honda in a dirt lot 2 blocks away. Very Niiice. I dont think I will be back again anytime soon but I really don't think they will give a sh!t.
(3)Ej N.
The worst food but terrific ocean front and decor. The chef needs to check with his grandmother on the meatloaf....dry, blah, spice less. The veggies were so oily...Poor service only checked back once. Go for a sunset glass of wine and then cross the road to eat at Las Olas or walk down to the Chart House...
(2)Marc K.
PCG is awesome and I'm glad its finally open. Every table has amazing views and the food is delicious. I can't believe its running so well considering its newly open and crowded. Come prepared to spend $75 - $100 per person and make reservations in advance.
(5)Adrienne M.
Watching the waves crash into the beach creates a fabulous backdrop for any dining experience...but the food still has to be good. We ate lunch at this relatively new place (where Charlie's used to be) and we weren't disappointed. I enjoyed the PCG Burger, cooked perfectly and obviously ground in-house, as noted on the menu. The Kennebee fries were merely OK; nothing to write home about, but not a disaster. They were saved somewhat by the house-made ketchup, which packed more "punch" than I expected. My friend chose the Heirloom Tomato & Pesto Grilled Shrimp, which she said was fabulous. Our attentive waiter, clued into the fact that it was my birthday, delivered a candle-adorned apple bread pudding to the table; although the sea breeze quickly doused the flame, I had time to make my wish and the warm, sweet dessert was delectable. Only downside is the parking, valet ($4) or a rather long walk.
(4)Cory M.
Good food and a nice setting. I would definitely recommend it, but be sure to make a reservation.
(4)carly a.
I came here after opening day and sat in the bar. The food was great, the service was amazing and the view is spectacular! Joel is very sweet!
(5)David B.
The long wait is finally over. Yes it was well worth it. The resturant is very well decorated and has the best views in So Cal. The staff is very friendly and good looking. The food was amazing. I had the Tuna app and Halibut for dinner off the hook. I cant wait for my next meal at P.C.G.
(5)Kendall B.
The food here is average at best. It's one of those restaurants that have a good view so are always crowded. I had the lobster tacos tonight and it is exactly as another review described; a bowl of lobster/tomato broth w/corn sitting in a bowl of black beans w/tortillas stuck into the beans around the bowl. VERY awkward to eat as the tortillas soak up the black beans and are soggy. Really weird presentation. Also the lobster/tomato combo had no flavor or zing. BORING. Our food took about 3 min to get to the table which we thought was very suspicious. Maybe not made to order dishes? Not even my son's fish could be cooked so quickly. It was overcooked and swimiming in sauce as a coverup. It is also incredibly loud in the dining room and we were there at 6:30. Good luck later on having a conversation!! We live near the beach so I don't feel the need to go back just to look at the ocean!!!
(2)Karen R T.
i was there tues 7-10-12 parking is a mess the eving started out bad, valet was very rude, asked him to be careful with my car and his snotty reply was he parks bentleys, rolls royce etc. got inside about 7;30 pm chaos! loud loud loud can hardly talk, we had no reservations, so waited for a bar table, got one , really expensive, party of 3, $l65.00 , my friend went to hostess stand and wanted to make reservations for sat nite for 8 people and the MANAGER WOULD NOT TAKE IT.She had people from England she wanted to bring there, i am a local and have been going to the old PCG FOR YEARS , and was anxiously awaiting for this one to open. i or my friends will not go back, imagine a high end restaurant turning down reservations for eight,but that is not the end i got the same rude valet picking up my car, too much chaos, i gave the valet a 5 dollar tip should have asked for it back, he was rude coming and going.
(1)Debra L.
this place is beautiful, try the deck, but don't sit down if it is 4:45 coz it doesn't "open" until 5!! seriously, although the deck was actually "open" we were unseated for 15 minutes..we went to the bar and ordered our favorite dish, shrimp dumplings....FABULOUS!! we have been missing them as they transitioned from Solana Beach to Cardiff....can't recommend this place enough....i think this place will be a star..just what the building needed...good food, good vibes....LOVE IT!!
(5)Carson M.
Fantastic experience after my exhausting finish earlier that morning at the Carlsbad marathon. The menu here was phenomenal and everything we tried was great. The mussels are an absolute MUST- we asked for a loaf of bread just to get all of the sauce! The calamari was fresh, the short ribs were super unique/delicious and the cocktails were just what we needed. Beyond the fantastic food and ambiance/location, the service was top shelf. Shannon was unbelievable- she gave us honest recommendations on food and wine and new just when we needed her around and just when we were fine enjoying ourselves. Would go back in an instant.
(5)Barbara O.
What makes the perfect dining experience? For me it begins with a warm welcome, attentive, friendly service from knowledgable servers and of course fresh, delicious food prepared in a creative manner. Pacific Coast Grill not only provides culinary excellence and stunningly beautiful ambience, but also the most wonderful dining experience. From the moment we were greeted by the professional and sweet hostesses, to the end when walking out, the servers, bussers, and management all worked seamlessly together to make for a relaxing, delicious evening. Yum!
(5)Kristina I.
I ate about it! Or maybe I drank about it. PCG's patio is the place to be in NCounty!!!
(5)Doug P.
4.5...sweet spot to watch sunset then stroll beach. Lobster tacos perfect...order with guacamole to take it another level. Sushi rolls a pleasant surprise. Service steady...did not feel like our prime table needed to be turned in a hurry for a Sat eve.
(4)Tim M.
Third time visiting PCG in the new location. Menu is pretty similar to the old location except the prices have gone way up. I guess that is to be expected as I would think the rent did too. The restaurant is really beautiful and you definitely can't beat the view. Our server was great, very friend and prompt. The only draw back our the prices. It's 3star food at 5star prices. Two cocktails, two glasses of wine, one sushi (decent but 19dollars) roll. Two entree's, one short ribs with Au gratin was good and I would probably have it again. Very minor complaint was the demi glaze is a little heavy. GF had the Paella. The seafood was great but the flavor of the rice was not good. A definite pass. All total with tip $225 ouch. If money is no issue then there are some good options but some passes too.
(3)Eddie C.
Wanted a nice place to have lunch on a week day along the beach so yelped and came up to visit here. The person who I believe was the manager seated us and he was really nice. We were seated outside with only a wall between us and the beach. Great view! Ordered a draft beer and the wife ordered a blueberry margarita which was good and strong. I ordered the Ahi Sliders and she the Hamburger. My sliders were OK and nothing outstanding. Wife mentioned her hamburger wasn't "that tasty'. I would definitely return for the view but not the food and the server was OK. Maybe dinner would be a different situation.
(3)Michelle N.
It is rare in North County San Diego to find a restaurant on the beach, with amazing food, wonderful service and parking.. but PCG has it all!! The menu is phenom, the service is soo impressive - in fact, I have horrible food allergies and I list them when I make a reservation and at PCG our waiter always shows up to the table with them listed to help me order - impressive!! The lobster tacos are mouth wateringly divine and sitting on the beach but inside is ideal for most! I truly LOVE this restaurant and would highly recommend it - and its in my home town so just a short drive/ walk away!!
(5)Kevin S.
Had a great time, worth it.
(5)Toni Taylor B.
Called to make reservations for a party of 8 - big anniversary night. Receptionist was civil, didn't make it to cordial. Disappointing, but I'm hoping the actual dining experience will be better.
(3)Elaine H.
clearly a very popular place...we had reservations at 5:30 on a sunny Saturday and it was hopping! we were seated immediately and served promptly. take a hat or sunglasses near sunset as the view is beautiful but it is very sunny near windows. food was absolutely delicious, fish was very well prepared (the 4 of us all had different fish and different preparations and everyone was very happy). I did not question the staff about sustainability issues with their fish, so I can't address that (which would really be my only question about this restaurant). delightful and delicious spot on the water!
(5)Allison S.
Excellent food, wonderful wine, professional and welcoming service, plus the view doesn't hurt. Pacific Coast Grill was a long awaited date night and they definitely delivered their end of the bargain. I highly recommend the hot rock appetizer and the oysters of course. For an entrée the lobster tail was gigantic and sumptuous. My boyfriend had the salmon and he couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was. Topped off with the chocolate mousse, I've tasted heaven and will be forever craving that insanely delectable dessert. Do yourself a favor and go to PCG. I know I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Tim M.
Pacific Coast Grill. This is an excellent place for lunch, and I'm sure dinner. This place has gone through a couple of owners and remodels in the last 10 years, each one has been a step up. The new owner is also the founder of Belly Up Tavern, which is one of the top entertainment places in north county, beside the legendary Del Mar Race Track, Pure Platinum come in 3rd. The Food. Appetizer. Chip and Guacamole. The guacamole was excellent, freshly made with a little spice to it, with tomatoes on top. The chips, nothing special, basically bag corn chips. Family size bag $2.99 Von's. Entrees. 1) Bag of Bonz, apple-wood smoked Hawaiian style baby back ribs & fresh-cut Kennebec fries. (See Picture) My sister order this, but I did have one of the ribs. Fall of the bonz tasty, could ate another 10 ribs easily. 3.5. 2) Lobster Tacos with roasted corn-tomato salsa, black beans & choice of tortillas. I've never had lobster tacos like this. Good size bowl of fresh lobster meat chunks with the salsa with corn tortillas placed around the plate. (See Picture) I could easily eat this 3 times a week. The lobster is placed inside the bowl with salsa, so you have the juices from the salsa seeping into the lobster meat. I've had hundreds of fish tacos in the last couple of years, and this is one of the best, you'll have to drive to Pasadena to 140 Cafe to get something comparable. 5 The View. Right on the ocean we had an awesome window table over looking the rocks, birds and beach, couldn't get any better. The Service. It's OK I've had better, but then it was busy, seemed like it could of been under staffed. They do have valet service, you can be cheap and park in the beach parking lot or find a place along side the road. If your going to spend around $100.00 for 2 for lunch you can spend another $4.00 for valet. If I lived in the area this would be my new lunch spot.
(5)See L.
Been here a few times, the view is great. It's very noisy inside. But always disappointed with the food. I ordered seared sea bass today, it can't be any smaller for a $21 entree. I asked the waitress, and she said it's the right portion. That's all she said. The taste was so so. I don't think I will recommend this place for its food.
(2)Joseph R.
We had a delightful birthday dinner for a party of 8 at the Pacific Coast Grill last night. After a mix-up on table location, the manager, Joel, was kind enough to rearrange some tables and chairs on the outside patio right on the beach wall giving us a magnificent view. Two patio heaters and some PCG blankets made it comfortable for all. Our server, Lori, did a great job and made sure that the cocktails and wine kept flowing until our meals were served. Most of us had the special, mahi-mahi, and it was outstanding! I had a delicious beet and pear salad followed by the pacific mussels as my entre. Thanks again to Joel and to Lori for making this birthday such a special event. We will be back to the Pacific Coast Grill soon and often.
(5)Melissa M.
We asked the front staff what their happy hour was. Response? "We don't have happy hour, we don't need it". Hmmmm looks like you don't need my business either. Left the completely empty bar area after one mediocre $11 margarita and went 2 doors down for a kick ass happy hour menu. Good riddance and good luck.
(2)Irene A.
This place has a wonderful view and has a private dining area for a big group which is where we sat. Literally every dish we had was wonderful. For appetizers we got the fried calamari, sushi, shrimp dumplings and fries. All were delicious. For my main course I was going to get the lobster taco but the waitress fortunately informed me that I would have to make it myself. Because this turned me off from getting the meal I decided on the ahi instead which was delicious and I did not regret my choice. Our waitress was friendly and had good customer service. I would go back to this restaurant.
(5)Nancy C.
Very nice, great service! Other than the hostess who was a little snooty. Got ther about 3:45 so it wasn't busy, Told her twice we were going to eat. Said we could only sit in the bar area if we were having appetizers & drinks. Ended up seating us inside, never asked if we'd like to be in or out. Had a wonderful waiter, Thomas. Absolutely fantastic appitizers Highly recommend the shrimp wontons. Ended up having three appitizers and the chowder, was a wonderful way to spend part of our last vacation day.
(4)Cynthia M.
First time here; had a wonderful time! I went with a small group of friends for my birthday dinner last night and I really enjoyed myself! Karin was a our server and she was fabulous! Made us feel special, especially me, the birthday girl. All dinners ordered were scrumptious! I had the lobster carbanara. Delish and plenty for lunch today! I highly recommend! Ask for Karin's section, you won't be disappointed! Thanks!!!!
(5)Lydia R.
We have enjoyed several meals at this restaurant and have never been disappointed. The setting is a perfect place for a sunset dinner. Enjoyed the Chilean Sea Bass tonight prepared with risotto in a Mexican bouillabaisse with clams and shrimp. Amazing favors and the fish was cooked perfect. The lobster tacos were good but not great. Steve was an attentive waiter. Definitely looking forward to our next meal there.
(4)Cheryl E.
Recently visited for a celebratory dinner with coworkers. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. The service was really good, and the food was even better. We sat outside with a fantastic view and with the heaters provided the temperature was perfect. I had a seafood risotto that was really nice. My friends were raving about the banana split. Normally I skip dessert but I decided to try it and oh boy am I glad I did. It was amazing and I highly recommend it. Definitely check this place out sometime. It is good for groups or a date night.
(4)Penny Lane S.
Two thumbs up for the paella. Three thumbs up for the view. So glad there is a good beachfront restaurant in cardiff now. Next time I'll have to try the steak. Nom nom nom.
(4)Jeffrey J.
We went there last night for our 17th anniversary and were not disappointed! The view was great, the service was attentive, and the food was delicious! The parking was affordable, (you're on the coast, for goodness sake), and the location is terrific. Much more affordable than the places next door, but just as good for us. The only drawback we saw was the lack of vegetarian entrees. We would love to take some friends, but they are vegetarians, and there were no options other than salads. This being SoCal, we were surprised, but that's all I would change.
(4)Sarah S.
I went here last night with a couple girl friends and we had a great time. I got there before everyone else in my group, so I had a drink at the bar. Great recommendations by the friendly bartender. Food was all very tasty, we had lobster carbonara, filet, and lobster tacos. We would recommend it all. But the best part by far was the service. From the helpful bartender and waitress, to the friendly bus boys, to the awesome valet staff! When the valet came back with my car, I had a flat tire. Hey, sh** happens, right? The two valet on staff wasted no time putting on my spare tire. They were friendly and joking, and did an awesome job! They went out of their way to help me and I really appreciate it. I really regret not asking for all the staff's names, because they were all great. Thank you!
(5)Dan C.
I went here with my family for dinner because my sister was going away to college and we figured we would try this new place on the beach. They have valet parking, which is almost a must due to how many people are parked in the limited street parking and the lot is full of Mercedes, BMW's, and even had a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce. We had a reservation and were seated promptly at a table near the back where we had an ocean view that was very nice. The waitress did not come for about twenty minutes and we never got water, during that time we looked over the menu and once the waitress did make her way to us we ordered drinks. We were about to order appetizers, but she was already headed off when we were finishing order drinks. when she did return we ordered a couple of appetizers. We got the short ribs appetizer "bag of bones" and the Chips and Guacamole. The Chips and Guacamole were delicious I had not had that fresh of guacamole in awhile, but for the price it better be! The ribs were average and came with a good bbq/spicy type sauce that was very unique. The main courses come out and I ordered the Spicy-Char Pork Tenderloin that was actually pretty good. I don't eat pork often because I feel that a lot of restaurants mess it up, but this was actually good and I recommend it if you go here. I tasted a couple of my families dishes and got their opinions and they are as follows: Pan Seared Sea Bass: 2.5/5, dry, seasoned decently, but not great. Char-Grilled Wild Salmon: 3/5, good, but not what was expected from a restaurant that touts their seafood and beach themed dishes. Hawaiian Style Baby Back Ribs: 3/5, descent, but comparable to what you can get at Chili's In summary I think that the service is mediocre, the ambiance and location is excellent, the food is average, but the price tag attached is undeserving.
(2)Ron H.
Great view of the ocean sunset. Excellent service. Valet parking very helpful, food was outstanding. Our group enjoyed the mahi mahi, sword fish and sushi, the paea (sure the spelling is wrong!) was expensive but well worth it. Great evening of fine dining in casual atmosphere. Will be back.
(5)Daniella F.
I just dined here for the first time and it was with a large party (40+). The Events team helped me every step of the way and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The event flowed smoothly and everyone enjoyed the food. Their Paella can't be beat!
(4)Kelly C.
Love this place for the view, food and drinks. Ahi with the coconut forbidden rice is a fave! Also like the "Kids Menu" is the "Dependents Menu" with more options than standard kid fare.
(4)Elena L.
i searched the words happy hour and this came up first. no happy hour and the bartender looked at me with complete blank stare what i asked her about it. like she had never heard of happy hour at 5pm on a tuesday.
(3)D J.
What a disappointment! Had been to the old PCG many years ago and was looking forward to the new location - which is an absolutely gorgeous spot. However: 1. Parking is a nightmare. The lot is very small, the valets do their best, but as the driveway is shared with public beach parking, just getting in a challenge. The valet asks if you have reservations and actually has a print-out to check! And the wait for the car after dinner is a bit slow since they have to park cars across the busy street. Lots of Mercedes, etc. in the parking lot, if that tells you anything. 2. The re-done restaurant is very attractive. Of course, the star is the view - the ocean is RIGHT THERE. There is a small amount of outdoor seating, but lots of windows so you almost always get the view. There is a bar/deck upstairs (which I didn't check out). 3. The menu is very enticing (check it out online). Prices are what I expected. Wine list is pretty good. I liked the Pinot Grigio I ordered. 4. The service is okay. Despite the crowd, we were seated promptly. Our server was timely. However, it was very impersonal. While I don't expect or want the server to be my buddy, I do expect some enthusiasm and suggestions about the menu. No pitches about what's good, etc. Very perfunctory. We were encouraged to order quickly because it was very busy, which sounded like a good idea, but after the fact seemed like we were being rushed. 5. We got our food quickly, too quickly. I wondered how much of the dinner was pre-done. - We had the tuna tartare stack for an appetizer. It was very fresh and clean tasting but could have used a little more zip. - I had the glazed salmon which was okay but none of the flavors stood out. The fish was a little dry, the pineapple salsa didn't have much of a flavor, there were a ton of snow peas which were flabby. - My husband had the mahi mahi which he said was "all right." - The dessert list was uninspired so we passed. 6. Our table was a two-top next to a window but along the main traffic way to other booths and tables. As a result, there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing around us, not making for a peaceful meal. 7. Lastly, and most difficult to capture was "the vibe." Whatever it was, I didn't care for it. Perhaps because it's new, it's right on the beach, and it was crowded, it did not feel welcoming. It was very business-like, too much so. All in all, I don't plan on another visit any time soon.
(2)Veronica W.
Great new location! Good wine, cocktails and food. So glad they moved to this new spot!
(5)Robin R.
The food is always good, the staff is attentive and you can't get a better view!!
(5)Steph J.
Love love love! Beautiful view. Great food. Great bar. Usually have the special, can't go wrong. Fresh and local seafood. Great place for happy hour. Really impressed with the renovations.
(5)Michelle S.
I've been to this place twice now and really like it. I sit upstairs as they have a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean or you can sit inside upstairs that also has a magnificent view of the ocean. Had the chips & guacamole, which was good. Each time I had the BBQ ribs. They are asian flavored (hoisin sauce) and they are tender and delicious. I actually was craving them so much that I went back a second time. I tried my friend's fish dish and it was good as well. The fries are crispy and good. The service has always been incredible. They remodeled the place from the previous restaurant, Charlie's and they did a fantastic job - wood throughout and gorgeous. It can get loud upstairs during happy hour but it is a fun place. Valet parking too!
(4)Marline P.
Had another yummy meal at PCG - this time lunch on a Saturday. My friend loved her fish tacos and my SW salad was delicious. It's a lovely setting right on the beach and we had wonderful service from Blake. The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that like many restaurants these days, in an effort to have a contemporary look, there are absolutely no sound buffers. When the room gets full you can hardly hear yourself think let alone have a comfortable conversation. Definitely not a place for a romantic meal, which is a shame. If that doesn't bother you, it's a great place.
(4)Bryan W.
This is now one of my favorite restaurants - been 3 times since they moved. Excellent food, some of the best views, and wonderful service. So often you go to "fine dining" places with wonderful views and the food is mediocre at best. We used to be frequent guests when they were in Solana Beach and the food was good. But now the food is excellent. And they are great about accommodating my wife and her gluten-free diet. It blows away the "place" next door. If you haven't been to this new location, go!
(5)Mindy L.
Great ocean view. Disappointed with the food. Baby back ribs way too dry with little meat. My husband order an entree of ahi tuna totally not fresh at all. Will not come back again.
(2)M P.
I was skeptical about coming here bc of all the mixed reviews, but we were pleasantly surprised. Go early and the views are completely worth it. We had the mussels- cooked perfectly in white wine garlic sauce. The lobster crab cakes were decent - lots of fillers. The shrimp skewers tomatoes salad was good, but small shrimp. The sea bass dinner was well prepared and not over cooked . If you like peanut butter, the banana split was delicious. Overall we had a very dinner and we will come back.
(4)Patrick H.
Really nice place. I was able to score a primo table on the second floor patio right on the railing overlooking the ocean. Gorgeous setting, the sea bass was above average and the service was prompt and friendly.
(5)A R.
Parking/Valet Service: It's the beach, so parking is insane. Use the valet service which is just $4 and service from the super nice guys that park your car will make you feel better about the change you're gonna drop on the meal. Hostess / Service: Young, snooty, beautiful hostesses who looked us up and down as we walked in, then uttered a bland "hello". Ladies, this is NOT Milan, Paris or NYC. Drop the attitude and offer a pleasant greeting to guests as they enter the restaurant! My friend and I were here for a late lunch and wanted to sit upstairs but all tables were in the sun, so we took a downstairs table which had a great view. Our server was prompt, efficient, and pleasant. Not over-the-top bubbly but that's OK. It's a restaurant - not Disney Land. Food / Lunch: Ordered the Mussels as a starter - GROSS. They came in a tomato-chorizo broth. Picked at it, but it was salty and the greasy. The flavors overwhelmed the mussels. I prefer mussels cooked simply: butter, garlic, white wine. Cafe Chloe downtown San Diego cooks mussels to perfection... looks like I'll have to keep going there for my fix. Friend ordered Bag o' Bonz which has disgusting presentation: literally 10 mini ribs stuffed into a paper sack on top of french fries which were greasy and limp. I ordered Baja fish tacos and they were NOT Baja fish tacos! Horrid presentation: bowl of grilled fish in a light broth, set atop black beans with four corn tortillas. No guacamole, no cabbage.... what kind of fish taco is that?! We were hungry and just ate what we could but I've now got an awful stomachache and I NEVER get sick from fish tacos... that's my "go-to" food item. But PCG's version is gross. Decor: Get some freakin plants in here! Honest to goodness - a few potted palms, a cute succulent on each table... this place lacks soul and greenery. I'm in no rush to go back...
(2)Diana A.
I decided to take a special friend to celebrate his birthday and was excited that PCG finally opened in Cardiff. Ambience: Fantastic view of the ocean if you sit in the area with the windows. I had made a reservation and requested outdoor seating. We were sat inside and only one of us had a view of the ocean and the other a view of the bar. It's very noisy. If you want to go for a romantic , quiet dinner this is not the place. Our reservation was for 7.30 p.m. We were seated promptly. There were a few empty tables but they would not seat us at those because they were reserved, oddly enough they were empty the entire time of our dinner. It's a nice, clean, simple design which I appreciated. Food: Calamari with spicy dip; fried calamari is hard to mess up. Nothing special. Mahi Mahi with pistachio crust and mashed potatoes: very nice dish and it came with a sauce that was tasty. Lobster tacos: surprinsingly very good - the lobster was in small chunks and in a tasty tomotoe sauce. Dessert: creme brulee - it was nice. The blackberry margarita was Service: Waiter was nice, seemed rushed, not very attentive and took long to serve appetizer.
(4)Cyn J.
I used to go to PCG when they were in Solana Beach and I was excited for their new location in Cardiff. Now that PCG is in a beautiful location, they do not have happy hour, PCG's menu is very different, and everything is much more expensive. Also, the food is just ok, at best. I hope PCG enjoys the summer and all the tourists they are targeting because once that is over, I don't think locals will be too stoked to be going back. Patricia J. is right; PCG is OVERPRICED. I agree with Jordan B., "the valet...is a cluster f*ck!" For these prices, I'd rather go to the Chart House. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!
(1)Jennifer R.
This is my new favorite place! My husband and I had a rare date night while the kids were at a drop-off Halloween party - oh thank you kind parents who allow drop-offs!. Because it's off-season for the beach we didn't have any problem with too many cars at the valet or showing up without a reservation at 7:00 PM on a Friday night - unheard of during the summer at beach venues! There wasn't any room downstairs in the main dining room, but the very sweet hostess walked us upstairs to what I assume is the casual dining area - how much better it was to have the upstairs ocean view I must say :) The food was really, really good! I have dined at PCG's Solana Beach location for lunch on a couple of occasions & liked it, but my sea bass for this dinner was AMAZING! The fish was cooked to perfection, the sauce was flavorful and the potatoes were scrumptious! My delicious glass of wine with the beautiful ocean view topped off a wonderful, relaxing night. Additionally, the service was prompt. The waiter was okay, not Mr. Personality, but he did his job. We will not have to deal with the snotty hostesses and mediocre food at the Beach House next door, just to have a marvelous ocean view anymore :) Now if we could just find a great place to move on to for dessert! Any suggestions Yelpers?
(5)Sarah W.
Two Words: (1) Lobster (2) Tacos OK, OK... so, sure.. I'm not going to sugar-coat it.. PCG is pricey, but I would pay for delicious food and a gorgeous atmosphere like that any day. We went during their odd time of day on the weekend, so they had a limited menu in order to allow their kitchen to make the switch from lunch to dinner, which admittedly upon entering and being told that, we almost walked out. However, they do have a decently sized menu (marked by the asterisks) and it was exactly what we would've ordered regardless (Whew! Crisis and angry yelp review averted!! ;) ) I had their Blackberry Marg and that was super tasty, but probably too sweet to have a ton of them. Which is A-ok with me. If I want a ton of margs, I'll just go across and down 2 restaurants to mis Favritas, Las Olas... where the chips are free and the margaritas are so strong you really should only legally be served 2 in order to survive the drive in the gauntlet that is N. coast HWY.
(4)Tammy H.
Parking was a debacle!!! We sat in the valet line for about 10 minutes before we were able to inch our way out and look for parking elsewhere. Luckily we found a spot about a 5 minute walk down the beach. When we made it back to the restaurant, the same cars were still in line for the packed parking lot. Our reservations were for 7:45 for a table of 6. We were not seated until well after 8, but the table and view made up for the wait. Beware - the overhang on the patio was dripping so bad by the end of the night we had to move our chairs all around, which made for an uncomfortable end to the evening. We ordered several appetizers which were all pretty good, the crab cakes were delicious. For dinner I ordered the Mahi Mahi, it was good, not great. My beau ordered the Seared Ahi with the Forbidden rice, he said it was so good he was going to "lick the plate clean", he spared me that embarrassment. Ordered bread pudding for dessert, it was so dense it did not taste like a true bread pudding. I am giving 3 stars because the food and service was pretty good, but the parking left a sour taste in my mouth and having to play musical chairs to avoid dripping water was annoying.
(3)Suzie M.
Wonderful food, great views, good service! The only thing is that it is way too dark.....could hardly read the menu. As an aside........I have a complaint about the San Diego customers. Here we were at a very expensive lovely restaurant and people came in beach clothes, hats on backwards and completely unkempt. The "dress " is supposed to be business casual...but it was more like Home Depot or McDonald's dress. Kind of an insult to the restaurant. Come on people..........show some pride!
(4)marty b.
Went without reservations last night. Got the best seat in the house out on patio! The view was incredible! Sunset was breath taking. Service was stellar & food was fantastic. The filet was perfect & most tasty! It was a wonderful evening. Might even go back again tonight! Thanks for a special time! Waitress even arranged for our valet parked car to be ready when we left & avoid any waiting! Can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)Andrea B.
The food, wow, the view double wow, the waiter, outstanding. This is a first class place with amazing food and an amazing atmosphere, you've got to go during sunset, beautiful. We tried 4 appetizers and they were all different and delicious. Can't wait to return.
(5)Fred T.
We hesitated trying Pacific Coast because we expected another below average food experience in a fantastic ocean view setting - a tourist trap like its two adjacent neighbors. We've been there 3 times now and find it just OK - sure, the view is great, but the menus is very limited. Basically, every dish is the same - some form of crusted concoction you would expect from Red Lobster. I wish they could put in some plain grilled fish entrees like a nice swordfish - let me enjoy a great piece of grilled fish without the sweet/sour/carb injected coverup. The wine list is also extremely limited unless you like CA cabs and super buttery heavily oaked Chard. Please add in some variety for those of us not brainwashed by CA wines - some nice steel mineral Italians or Spanish whites would be great. I know this is the CA coast, but take off the blinders and expand the choices a bit please. Thank You.
(3)Michele H.
They haven't missed a detail even down to the restrooms! The design, food, staff, view, etc., etc are all amazing. We had the Hot Rock Surf and Turf for an app. I have NEVER tasted ahi that good! The little pickled cucumbers were great on the rock too! The Gott cab.. $10.00 a glass, was so good that i had to stop myself after three glasses. I had the sea bass. It was perfectly sized, it melted in your mouth, and the sauce wasn't too much, light and just enough flavor. I usually don't like any sauce on my fish, but this was perfect. The only complaint that I have is that it was really mean to only give four bites of the spinach! More please! I ordered 1 scallop. They popped it on top of my bass. It was the BEST scallop that I have ever had. Worth every penny.
(5)Sanoe E.
I love everything about this place. The view, the service, and THE FOOD! I have eaten here several tims and everything I have had here so far has been delicious! Love that you can get an $8 Don Julio tequila on the rocks. The lobster carbonara is incredible with a healthy portion of lobster! I tried two sushi rolls and was very impressed. With everywhere always using imitation crab meat I was stoked to have sushi with REAL crab meat inside rather than the imitation. The quality of the fish was great too. Yes this place is pricey but its a place you come when you want something special and not your average experience. If you want a good place for a date night or celebration of a special something... this place should not disappoint you :)
(5)Gaelan T.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego hands-down. Ambiance is amazing overlooking the beach, the outdoor seating is best but really there is not a bad seat in the house. I had oysters and the paella... a bit pricey but worth every penny. This resto reminds us of our home in Nantucket, beach chic can't be beat!
(5)Candice F.
Loved this place! Right on the sand, my husband & I went for our anniversary dinner. Crabcakes & calamari were delish. Crab crusted Mahi was perfectly cooked. Great seafood! Our waiter was super friendly and even gave us their white chocolate bread pudding for dessert in the house and it was the perfect ending to a great evening. Wouldn't bring my 2 year old there (unless I had to) , more of an adult place, but we will be coming back soon!!
(5)Mike H.
We've been waiting for the right time to try them out since they opened. With guests in from the East Coast, last night was the perfect time. Fantastic experience all around. Great food, great service, amazing location. We sat outside on the patio. Overhead heaters helped a lot, but bring a sweater (San Diego beaches at night in November?!). The jalapeno cucumber margarita was outstanding. Poseidon used to be our go-to place for ocean front, but this has now replaced it. Similar setting, but better food and service. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. 4 adults and 2 kids, our bill all-in was just under $300.
(5)Ethan S.
3.5 Stars! Ok so let me start by saying the atmosphere, the view, the food, and the drinks are all really good. This place gets 3 stars because of the service. We used to frequent the old one in Solana Beach quite a bit, and the food never disappointed, nor did the service. On this particular visit, we sat outside with a beautiful view of the water. Our Waitress took FOREVER to get to us, but when she did she was overall pretty friendly. Throughout the meal of amazing Shrimp Dumplings (Get two orders) and Lobster Tacos, she frequently forgot things, mixed up a drink or two, etc... As a former server I am pro-waiter/waitress, but she wasn't even busy as we went in around 5pm during the week. Nonetheless, we enjoyed ourselves overall. It is a bit pricey as it was in Solana, but again what do you expect? You're on the beach in Cardiff. I'm gonna try it again in the bar this time for happy hour!
(3)Emma H.
I came here just the other day to scope out the new location after a few drinks at Las Olas just down the street. I had been craving the shrimp dumplings with port wine reduction sauce (to die for) on the appetizer menu. I got the dumplings and the ahi sliders everything was spectacular food wise. Not so much in other aspects... The view is nice but really darn hot... And seemed to be no air ventilation...um, we're on the beach, can we get some fresh air? The person I was with agreed. Service was mediocre and seemed really lax and not enthusiastic at all. Also that day attire for the servers was honestly just really unflattering. Baby blue, khakis and white tennishoes? It's not a yacht club... In my opinion if your going to re-open up a new location and change the whole restaurant vibe, ambiance and concept, you may as well just change the name too. I had high hopes and was very excited being someone who grew up at the original pacific coast grill and enjoyed it very much. But was let down...The food is still amazing and for that I will most likely return... And the view... But that's about it.
(3)Latida E.
Beautiful views, great atmosphere, delicious food. Pricey
(4)Julie J.
Mediocre would be flattering. Food was downright bad. Good views can only get you so far. Shrimp dumplings had no taste except soggy. Turkey burger was dry and had no seasoning. Expensive waste.
(1)Gipper R.
Arrived for early lunch. Sat on patio which has an amazing view. GF had the Tatar appetizer and said it was delicious paired perfectly with a glass of Brew Haha Pinot Grigio. I ordered the Fish and Chips. Their use of Maui Maui is an excellent choice, but they were a bit greasy still. The fries were so oily/greasy that they were unetable.
(3)Chris M.
We stopped in the other night during Happy Hour and ordered two of the appetizers, the Bag O' Bonz (Hawaiian style baby back ribs) and Chipotle-Chicken Quesadilla. Both were outstanding and we enjoyed every bite. We also orded the cheese cake for dessert which exceeded our expectations. We never tried the main dishes, but I can attest to the quality of the appetizers. A real treat. We will definitely return!
(4)Rick M.
So cool n comfortable right on the sand and water. Awesome. So far, once for happy hour and once for Sunday brunch. Mimosa's great, omellete great. Attentive service.
(5)Ava L.
Great location. Great service. Delicious and fresh seafood! The only thing I did not enjoy about this restaurant was the steak. I know it is a seafood restaurant but you would think the steak would be good as well. There is a bar and outdoor seating on the second floor that is just beautiful to sit at. I would consider it family friendly, since a family did sit behind us. The light is dim enough for you to bring your family or consider going here for a date. I am an Oyster fan and they were amazing. I also had the Ahi Salad that was delicious.
(4)Rachael R.
My husband and I met my stepdaughter and her boyfriend here over the weekend. The restaurant is beautiful, view is stunning, food excellent and service was above average. Reason only 4 stars - well we met for lunch and everyone had a sandwich so hard to give 5 stars based on what we selected for our entrees. First we started out with cocktails and wine....my stepdaughter had the mojita martini and it was perfect - I really loved that it was light on the mint as I hate when it overpowers the drink. Everyone else had either by the glass wines or mixed drinks and they were satisfying to all. While enjoying our drinks we all shared the shrimp dumplings and yellow-tail tartare. Both were amazing....the dumplings were swimming in a delicious port wine sauce - they were tender, filling and delightful! The Yellow-tail was fresh and tasty - thoroughly enjoyed the spice of the habarnero combined with the sweetness of the mango and stacking it on a crispy ginger wonton - well I could have had another order it was that good. For our main course I choose the Ahi sliders and this was a first! I love sliders but they are usually pork or beef. I wish all restaurants would offer this option.The Ahi was perfectly seared marinated in terriyaki topped with a mayo/wasabi sauce - they were incredible! Served with truffle fries which were light and not greasy. My husband had the Lobster BLT and he loved it as he loves Lobster, Bacon and Cheese and showing up as a trio! Well he was in heaven. My daughter had a tomato sandwich which she seemed to enjoy and both sandwiches came with cut fries in a cute brown bag - a nice touch. And her boyfriend had the Sea Bass in a white wine sauce, mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. His lunch went down fast! In fact, no one left a morsel on their plate so a sign of a good meal. This place is beautiful - the food is fantastic and the service was very good. If it wasn't over an hour drive I would be here every weekend - well maybe not every weekend but I would frequent it a lot!
(4)Vic A.
Amazing good and staff! It was my wife's birthday and the manager Jeff sat us at VIP table with the most beautiful view! Norma was an awesome waitress. Very sweet and attentive! I had an amazing dinner with my beautiful wife!
(5)David B.
We went here a few times, and only came back since we had out of town guests who wanted to dine right on the beach, so you could hear the waves, feel the sea breeze. Each time, we chalked off the experience as maybe an off day or night, but our experience has been consistently negative. One of the main problems is seating: they cater to expense account people, who order $100+ bottles of wine, and even though you reserved, or are waiting for, an outdoor table, sorry! The food's actually not that great, but the service is even worse. Wait staff are inattentive, not accommodating. I guess there's a high staff turnover: the wait staff seems to be poorly motivated, inexperienced kids. The ambiance is chaotic. Give this place a miss: eat elsewhere, and walk on the beach before dinner or after. Hint to the owners: a smart restaurant treats locals especially well - we're locals, and pointed this out to them - because we will be asked to recommend restaurants, and entertain out of town guests. It is locals who can support a restaurant when there are few tourists, during slow seasons, and will dine out on weekdays.
(2)shelli p.
We're locals - and this is exactly what North County needed.....a chic, upscale hot spot right on the water. I've gone several times for a glass of wine with friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff has always been friendly, welcoming and helpful. The valet's always welcome us & show us to the door. PCG has made the most of the gorgeous water views with the use of natural stone, granite, high wood beams and floor to ceiling windows, exposing the Pacific Ocean. My husband and I went with another couple last weekend for dinner - and it was certainly enjoyable, with a couple of service exceptions. It took an inordinate amount of time between courses, and the waitress explained that they had a couple of large parties. In my opinion, restaurant should know to staff appropriately. Second, we were finishing our h'ors d'oeuvres - the servers were standing at our table trying to find room & push entrees onto our table. That is a big service no-no. The table should be fully cleared when everyone has finished, silverware replaced......then it's appropriate for entrees to be served. That being said, the food was fine. I wasn't overwhelmed, but honestly it was more of a casual night out with friends, and we wanted a cool, vibe-y place on the water in our area so it was fine. It's summer - and the place is new, but it'll calm down once all the tourists have gone home. We'll definitely be back. Good neighborhood spot.
(4)Becca L.
We had a really lovely time celebrating our anniversary here. Everything was perfect for us. The service couldn't have been better - or nicer. The food was terrific. We ordered five things (crab cakes, heirloom and shrimp salad, salmon, Mahi Mahi and white chocolate bread pudding) and we'd get every single one of them again. I loved the interior design and layout of their new location. Every table has great ocean views. There's a fun bar/lounge atmosphere upstairs. $4 valet is very reasonable for beach dining.
(5)Daenerys S.
Great Martini!
(3)Ellen P.
Gorgeous place right on the water. Had a bunch of well poured, super expensive drinks and then sat down for a delightful dinner. I'll not a seafood person, but my friends raved about the shrimp dumplings in plum sauce. We also got the fillet mignon on a hot rock (way cool!). The bread was way too good and the meatloaf (if you're into Turkey meatloaf) was divine. I could see the waves crashing on the beach from my seat...truly a lovely Saturday night
(4)Jenny S.
This was our first visit to the new location. We dined at 830pm on a Wed night. Our server, Casey, was a doll. She gave friendly, outstanding service and frankly all of the bus boys and other personnel were as likable. There was a sea lion tumbling around on the surf for our viewing pleasure so conversation about that held the evening. I came here craving the shrimp dumplings and they did not disappoint. The mixed greens salad was also very memorable. My hubby was also pleased with his meal. SERVICE gets 5 stars. Location gets 5 stars. The parking situation (Valet ONLY) and he seemed annoyed when we opted to bypass and find street parking (have had trouble with things being taken with other Valet). 2 STARS The bread pudding dessert...2.5 stars. I will say that I am very picky with my bread pudding. The best bread pudding is at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse with a whiskey cream sauce. This didn't even touch it. In fact, 2.5 stars was VERY generous. If I was in a worse mood I might have asked for it to be refunded--but I'm letting that slide. So all in all, we will be back.
(4)Ron C.
Ok this place is awesome. You have to try the rosemary bread. It's the best I have ever eaten! And it's right on the ocean! The swordfish over garlic mash-potatoes is the bomb!
(5)Rene S.
Was here for dinner twice. The prices do NOT reflect the wait staff. Very rushed and too expensive. Plates were cleaned away when we weren't finished. Still had fries and no ketchup. No one asked if we were done. Just whisked our food away. And for that we got a hefty bill.
(2)Enrico A.
Came here lunch on Friday, 05/10/2013. Appetizers were very good. Lunch menu was typical "ocean restaurant" menu which was good. The ambience being on the beach on a beautiful day, could not be any better. I would definitely recomment this place.
(4)De S.
Went here for a late lunch the VIEW was spectacular.. The food was Wounderful as was the service. Thank you Blake .. My spouse had the tuna tacos I had the special sushi both were tasty. The portions were good size for the value We definitely would eat here again.
(5)Christie P.
Oh... my... god. We came here last night and it blew me away. For starters, it is in a great location and you have a great view no matter where you sit. We were able to watch the sun set and the surfers which was quite nice and relaxing after a chaotic workday. And, while we were afraid we were going to get turned away without having a reservation, they were able to seat us right away. We decided to share an appetizer and an entree and I'm really glad we made that call as the portions are really large. The bonus was that they even split them up in the kitchen for us in advance. Now that's service! Had the scallops and the crab cakes and was seriously smitten at first bite. I highly, highly recommend this place if one is looking for a good North County restaurant. It empties out pretty early but that's ok because it actually makes your dining experience more intimate.
(5)J D.
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to dine at a restaurant in San Diego with attentive service!!! The wait staff and hostess are all very friendly and accommodating. The setting is just stunning - you are right on the water. And the food is very good. I will be back!
(4)Kauveh S.
Man, the old location had such better food and service. My waiter messed up my girls order, and my friends girl order, and never gave us any bread with the meal. The old restaurant always had the best bread. The muscles were just decent as well. Crepes and cork cafe in Del Mar's muscles are much better if that has any merit. I mean the location was cool. We sat upstairs. I may give this place a second chance for dinner, as I was here for lunch. Got the Yellow tail stack and it as once again just OK. Little chewy on the fish as if it wasn't fresh. Once again, the ambiance is great but the food quality and service has gone way down from the previous Solana Beach location. Sorry.
(2)ItalGal B.
Beautiful new modern and hip! LOVE IT! The old Charlie's needed to GO, it was shoddy and run-down (like the neighboring Beach House is these days). It's a fun place to eat whether you go on a date or meet up with a friend. A girlfriend and I sat outside with a friend and enjoyed the sunset, the food was great, the service pretty good, we hung out a long time and our waitress didn't rush us or make us feel bad. Total 2 thumbs up! Great addition to the area!
(5)Jamie W.
Very poor service. Waited 20 minutes for a waiter to even acknowledge us. Food took even longer to arrive. Needed to change tables and the waiter did not even help us move our plates. Food was way overpriced. View is great and food ok.
(2)Rosie K.
First time to PCG with my sisters and friends, we came for brunch Sunday right at 10:00 with reservations and we were seated immediately and got to choose a table! Service was a little slow considering we were the ONLY ones there but nothing went wrong, the food was delicious in spite of some picky people at our table. Then it got really crowded within the hour. Lobster tacos and lobster benedicts were to die for (2 of us got that). The capuccino was great too! Great view!
(4)Alexia B.
Always guaranteed a good meal. Service is great, they are helpful and efficient, and my fave is to sit on the patio (on a Sat night to drown out the cougars) where they'll give you blankets and heat lamps if needed. My kids have a ball playing on the beach while we relax. And here's a tip: they have a separate gluten free and vegetarian menu. Ask for it if you need one!
(4)Sumi A.
Amazing view from a table outside that felt like we were right on the beach. Unfortunately the food was just so-so. Shared several plates and they seemed to be overpriced for what you get and quality of food didn't match the price. A good place to take someone from out of town if they just want a great view and don't care so much about the food.
(3)Jimmy H.
Fantastic food, drinks, and service. Thumbs up, especially if you're looking for excellent seafood and an ocean ambiance.
(4)Melissa M.
I had lunch at Pacific Coast Grill because I was desperate for a coastal view for an out-of-towner I was entertaining and didn't want the usual boring Chart House/Beach House option. I did not have fond memories of PCG in Solana Beach but decided to give their new location a shot. And surprisingly, all of the food we had was terrific! Highlight was the ahi tartare stack with wonton crisps - it was perfect and beautifully presented. The view was terrific (duh) and the downstairs dining room was casual yet sophisticated. Probably won't return until I have another out-of-town guest who's yearning for coastal views, but I can say it was a solid experience.
(4)Natalie M.
My bf was working in Encinitas and a customer recommended Pacific Coast Grill to us as we were leaving as a "cool date night" place. We decided to check it out and it was honestly one of the best meals that I've EVER had. I wish I could give them more stars. Bring cash because they only have valet parking ($4) and since it's on the 101 next to other restaurants, it's not easy to find other parking. They have outdoor/indoor seating both downstairs and upstairs. We decided to sit upstairs to get a good view of the sunset and inside because we just didn't want to wait. For starters we ordered a round of beers and the lava rock ahi appetizer. They bring it out to you raw with a heated rock so that you can sear your own ahi to your preference....AMAZING!! For dinner my bf had the fillet Mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus and I took the suggestion his customer and ordered the lobster tacos (50/50 corn and flour tortillas). Everything was just perfect and the lobster tacos were out of this world good. Beware, they come in a pot like a stew, but don't let that scare you away...nom nom. Honestly, the service was wonderful, the view was breathtaking, and the atmosphere made you want to hang out longer. It didn't hurt that the food was better than most high end restaurants in downtown SD.
(5)Roger K.
I have been eating at PCG for over 8 years. They moved to beachfront location in Encinitas from Solana Beach. What a great location and modern decor. The food is always good. Dinner is twice as expensive as lunch is. Pretty much same menu. Lobster tacos are amazing and the bread pudding is probably the best I've had.
(5)Izabela R.
Everything about this place is pretty spectacular. The decor is beautiful, the ocean views are insane, AND the food and service is awesome!! I've been here twice for lunch and the first time we sat downstairs. Came with a group of 7 and we all tried a variety of the sliders. Although little, they're fairly rich and filling, so come hungry! The way the whole place is set up, there isen't a seat without an ocean view, which is pretty great. The second time, we sat upstairs in a 'prfivate room' and it was gorgeous!! Colorful mosaic glass on the walls, and a big, sliding barn style door. Highly recomended if you have a party of 6-10, anymore, it would be too crowded. I tried the almond, goat cheese crusted tomatoe sandwich and added some bacon and it was to die!!! Came with fries served in a cute little brown paper bag. Everyone shared a few desserts, the chocolate mousse with Kona coffee ice cream=so yum!! The apple pie=yuuuummm!! And the bread pudding. That was ok. It wasn't a stand out bread pudding, but still good. PCG is worth the visit and I can't wait to bring out of state visitors here!!
(5)Arnold R.
Excellent seafood ... the tuna tartare tacos were remarkably good. The mussels were rich and yummy. The seafood pasta with smoked tomato sauce was loaded with lobster and scallops and oh so good. The waitstaff was very attentive and helpful. I mentioned that one of the mussels had not opened and therefore I did not eat it ... before I knew it would happen, a whole second bowl arrived. And, of course, the view of the water is to die for.
(5)Shawn F.
Super good food!! I love pacific coast grill the staff is friendly the view is awesome and the food is great! What's not to love? I've been here several times and have never been disappointed!!
(5)Marian D.
7/14/13 The place was busy on a Sunday night. Service by waitress was good. Everything went well except the busboy would come to our table with his arms loaded with dirty dishes and then asked us to pile our salad plates on top. I thought this was a strange way to operate until he did it again when we had finished out dinner. Told us to pile our plates on top of his already heavy load. Has this place ever heard of trays and a dignified removal of dirty plates?
(3)Seth B.
Great food and the wine selection is good too. The view and the scene is why we are all here of course so no need to gripe about parking. It's on one of the best strips of beach in san diego and the decor is gorgeous
(4)Colleen C.
Pricey...yes! Worth it...YES!!! Two of the three of us (not I) had been before and chose it to celebrate our birthdays. Our service (read reviews and was prepared for bad stuff) was great from the valet guys to our reception and back to the parking! Mark, our server, had a smile for us each time he came to the table. My water was always filled (and that's five or six times...I'm a Pisces). Started with one Lobster Shrimp Chowder and three spoons. Smooth and hearty. I got the Coconut Shrimp Roll, the others Filet Mignon Sliders and Baked Oysters. The fries were lovely, however the housemade ketchup was a bit on the sweet side for me (I swoon for Heinz). The oysters were a bit lost in the dressing, but tasty. My rolls were good and I couldn't believe the plentiful platter! So here is the wrap up...HOLY YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS YELPERS!!! Too full for dessert but we got the White Chocolate Bread Pudding with three spoons (now, really, how could I resist???). I would not have ordered it based on the menu (but two stars extra for how we got two), but let me tell you...OMGOMGOMG!!! Oh, the view? Just OK...hahahaha!!! I LOVE SAN DIEGO!!!
(5)Harry C.
I've been to the new Pacific Coast Grill three times in the past few weeks - twice with out of town friends and once on my own - and feel it's now time to finally write a review. As many others have written, the charm of the old Solana Beach location is long gone -- as is the menu, which was light years better than the new one. The biggest issue the new PCG faces is an ego problem; they think they're the new king on the block and for a semi-new spot, they're already operating as if they've earned their way to the top. Anytime something new moves in, there is a general sense of hustle. A wait staff that is welcoming, excited to have you and with everyone on their A-game trying to win your loyalty. This place is already operating as if they've been around a few years and that they're doing you the favor. First experience was on a Monday night a week or so ago. Rolled in for a semi-late dinner (by North County standards) - 8:30pm or so - and ate a top the patio deck. Great proximity to the ocean, but poorly lit. Couldn't read the menu and could barely see the food. Knocked back a few good bottles of red, shared a few apps and was a decent enough experience, minus feeling the heat to order up as the kitchen wanted to close. Really felt the heat to get moving, so we closed out and left. Went back for a late lunch with out of towners later that week and shared some apps in the bar. Another uninspired experience with the wait staff and this was where the overpriced menu was truly exposed. Tried the 'Surf and Turf Roll' - seared Kobe beef, lobster, avocado and spicy dragon sauce. Sounded amazing and for $19 expected something special. Meh. Miniscule slice of Kobe - so essentially $20 for a dollop of lobster / avocado and rice. 'Made-To-Order Guacamole' was solid ... but just about choked on a chip when we saw a $9 charge on the bill. (Honestly, $4 for twice as much guac at Fidel's, much better chips, killer red sauce.) Tried the Bag O'Bonz applewood smoked Hawai'ian style baby back ribs, which were good ... but the 'fresh-cut Kennebee fries' were cold and limp. Told a friend about the ribs, so ventured back there earlier this week, per his request. Arrived around 3pm only to find out that we could only choose menu items with a star next to them -- of which the Bag O'Bonz, Baja Fish Tacos and a slew of other menu items weren't offered. Settled on the PCG Burger, which doesn't hold a candle to any great burgers in town -- be it Rocky's, Hodad's, The Counter, etc. -- and again, fresh-cut Kennebee fries were cold and limp. Another major letdown; not being allowed to take in the view from the upstairs bar and outside second floor deck, which doesn't open until 5pm. Summertime in San Diego, you could throw a rock and hit the ocean -- and the best seats in the house are closed until sunset. #EpicPCGFail. The new PCG already needs an overhaul if they're going to last in North County as it has the unearned ego of the ChartHouse next store ... yet food that can't even hold a candle to the sub par, recently-closed-down Yogi's down the street. Looked forward to this grand opening forever but can honestly say, three strikes and you're out. I won't be back. No worse combination than high prices, average food and a wait staff / hostess that could care less whether you live or die. Honestly, as awful as the parking lot situation is there -- props to the valet guys who are the most accommodating folks in the building and actually hustle, smile and make you feel welcome. To the rest of you, enjoy this new phase while it lasts because if things don't change soon, you'll go the way of Yogi's -- another once-happening spot that moved coastal and face-planted. It's 2012 and even though there's money in North County, it's still a down economy and people have many options as to where they can spend their money. A $75 sit-down for an average lunch for two, a few beers and service without a smile? No thanks. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time and I'm Yelp-bound to share this tale with other locals in effort to steer them elsewhere. Honestly, someone else mentioned letting them "work the kinks out" -- but how do you work out kinks for bad service and an uninspired staff? Things are only going to get worse, not better. The two-star review breaks down like this; one star for food and a bonus pity star for the ocean view.
(2)Jessica W.
Best ambiance in North County. The service was borderline awful. Food was ok. Not worth battling the crowds for true foodies!
(3)Marc A.
The worst food and service, I have experienced in a long time. Tacos were a soup, should have been explained if so, burger was served with no condiments. I was treated as if I should now this. I would be fine if the burger had flavor. The server was never around to change what was wrong?
(1)Erin G.
I had been to this location for a work event before it opened officially. I was super excited to come back and sit on the patio for drinks after work. We walked in the door and were told that the patio doesn't open till 5:00. We waited around an hour and half at the lower bar, went upstairs around 4:30 to secure a seat. At that point, the hostess wouldn't seat us on the patio because we were not dining, even though we would probably spend more on drinks than expected. Hostess' were rude, drinks are expensive, won't ever come back.
(2)Jennifer R.
I'd been to PCG a couple of times for brunch with my girlfriends and both times were pleasant but not anything to yelp about. But my husband and I went for dinner this past weekend to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary and had a GREAT experience. We got there early for our reservation so we sat in the bar for a drink. My husband ordered a beer and as I asked him if I should have a mojito or a beer...the bartender David overheard and suggested a mojito. When does a bartender EVER recommend a mojito? Impressive. I'm just going to go ahead and say that David probably makes the best mojito in San Diego. Then our waitress was super sweet (unfortunately I didn't get her name) and our meal was AWESOME. My husband started with a Cardiff Roll and had the Lobster Tail and I had the Filet. Dinner was DELICIOUS. And then they brought out some sort of white chocolate/apple dessert (with a candle) on the house to congratulate us on 6 years of marriage. It was just a perfect evening. View is obviously amazing...right on the ocean. Highly recommend.
(5)Lissa K.
Don't let the one star rating fool you. This place deserves a ZERO. My fiance and I wanted to be near the water and enjoy some drinks while we watched the Angels-Yankee game on Sunday. I called the restaurant to ask if they would have the game on and the hostess asked if it was on a "regular channel." I said yes, it was on TBS and she said that they would have it on. So we hopped in the car and headed down the freeway to catch the second half of the game. We pulled up to the valet and he greeted us with "do you have reservations?" We said that we were just there to watch the game in the bar. He said, "Sorry, its full." Huh? The bar is full? At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday? And if so, WHY in the world didn't the hostess tell us that when we called twenty minutes ago? We posed these questions to the adolescent valet and of course he had no answers. So now we had about 2 innings left in the game and we were still in the car. We called PCG and the above mentioned hostess answered the phone so we asked her why in the world didn't you tell us the bar was full when we called 20 minutes ago? She said, "It must have just filled up." So we asked to talk to the manager and were put on terminal hold. The hostess eventually said he was too busy to talk. I said, that's ok I'll save my feed back for Yelp. So there you go, San Diego. Steer clear of this place. Take your business down the road to the open air bar at the top of the Plaza in Del Mar. Gorgeous view and the bartender put the game on for us as soon as we got there. Classy, professional, and enjoyable. Everything Pacific Coast Grill is not.
(1)Patricia J.
Ok...It's sounds like this place is a hit or miss! I have friends coming in from Chicago but I'm gonna have to pass until Management get's it together:( Plus it's seems it's becoming more of a pick up joint. Let's see what happens after Labor Day...
(2)Alex S.
Really solid menu, ocean view dining. Make a reservation so you can valet your car. Nice bar. Need to try out more items on the menu. Bag oh Bones is pretty damn good. Not sure why some people are struggling to figure out parking. Maybe it's their first time trying to park at a restaurant on the 101 in Cardiff or they are just mentally challenged... to the moron who tried to park at 1 PM on a Sunday in the summer in Cardiff.... well, there is no helping you. Some tips. Park on the 101 south of Las Olas and walk, park on the 101 north of the restaurant and walk, make a reservation and use the valet, it's 4.00 before the tip. Or take a cab and not deal with trying to drive on the 101 with a couple drinks in you (this would be the smart thing to do). For those who don't want to deal with tons of people. Wait for the track to close, wait for summer tourist season to end and come on a mid week nigh in the fall. Again, great menu. Amazing view. 2 bars, 2nd floor and first floor, nice outside seating. Make a reservation, there is walk in seating but be prepared to drink a few and relax at the bar on busy night, its going to be a bit before you can sit down. Also, this is a high end place on the ocean in Southern California, expect to spend 50 - 75.00 per person on meals and drinks. If you want cheap. Bull Taco is up the road. ;)
(5)Tatiana S.
Save your money and eat elsewhere! I drive by this place on my way to/from work so I have watched it take forever to build and open. I was excited to go there last night with a group of friends. We got there right at 5 when it opened and there was a line waiting to get in! We got some bar tables and ordered drinks and lots of apps. The drinks are expensive, I had a martini for $13, I think most wines were $9-$11 per glass. Here is what we ordered: Shrimp dumplings with port wine sauce - they were pretty good. Crispy cornmeal calamari - this was awful, it was so salty that I only ate 1-2 pieces, and I love calamari. Lobster and lump crabcakes - they were tasty and quite spicy, however, the dish was completely covered in "kimchee beuree blanc" sauce, so much that the crabcakes were literally sitting in a pool of it. nasty. White truffle fries - this was a specialty in the old PCG but again I found them quite garlicky-tasting and greasy. Shrimp cocktail - the shrimp were good but the cocktail sauce tasted like pure ketchup. Lobster chowder - this was awful. and cold. we sent it back. Some pros are that the location is sweet, amazing views, nice decor. great people watching. I mmight go back for some drinks but I doubt I will ever eat there again.
(2)Tram L.
My new favorite coastal restaurant to bring family and friends for a nice, scenic cocktail or dinner. Fantastic views. The newly remodeled restaurant is beautiful. The menu is varied enough where most people will find something tasty to eat. Go at sunset for the best views.
(4)Kimmy B.
So i came here for happy hour after a work function. All was well on the patio, cute place, great views... then the sun started to set.. you would think they planned the overhead shade thing to help out with the shade during sun down. A huge bummer that my group of 15 suffered. oh well i guess.. just food for thought. come prepared. Drinks were pretty creative. Apps were pretty dang good actually. We tried every app on the menu. all very great choices. 3 starts you ask? Havent had the main dinner here yet.. we will be back and review!
(3)Jordan B.
I really liked the food at the old PCG. The new location is great, however, parking is awful and the valet situation is a cluster f*ck! The food was good except the steak. Don't get the cowboy ribeye!
(3)Elisabeth K.
Really like the new location - view and interior. My favorite dish is the Ahi & Forbidden Rice entree. It is so good. I will come back again and again just for this dish
(4)Nancy B.
Get the Short Rib Benedict.. I literally have dreams about it.. and our waitress was amazing with her cutest little british accent!! Loved it!
(5)monique m.
Went to PCG right after they opened (about 3 years ago), and experienced the WORST SERVICE EVER!!! My husband and I swore we would never go back. Well, our friend really wanted to go for her birthday tonight so we decide to give PCG another try. Well surprise surprise service SUCKED AGAIN!!! Ordered a bottle of champagne that, other than the first glass, we had to poor ourselves. Told the server that it was our friend's 50th birthday, and despite a $400 bill, she got nothing!!! Not a birthday scoop of ice cream, drink, cupcake, NOTHING!!! Yes - we can see the ocean from where we're sitting, but I"m sorry - there is no excuse for poor service. I worked in the food service industry for years, and impeccable service is not that hard. Train your servers to treat your guests like they matter. I will excuse mediocre food if the service is spot on, but pretty good food and an ocean view does not make up for consistently sub par service. This time we're definitely NOT going back!!!
(1)Jaina P.
The food was good, but not great. It was more rowdier than I expected. But the view made up for everything The view was amazing, right on the water. It would be gorgeous during the sunset for happy hour.
(4)Debbie D.
Went for lunch the other day. It wasn't busy, but it took a good 5 minutes for us to even be acknowledged by a waiter. The guy who DID wait on us had an attitude and was borderline rude (that said, everyone else we encountered who worked there was great. Especially the valets!). The food was good. The ahi was fresh and my son's kid meal was huge! The sushi rolls weren't great-skip that. My buddy had a burger and said it was good. Go for the view and the ahi tacos.
(3)Heather H.
I really love the view and food at the Pacific Coast Grill. Our service was very slow this time around, but I think their may have been a mix up at the hostess stand and it wasn't the server's fault. We sat outside near the back and what looked like a sort of make shift table. I would have preferred to be on the main patio, but the view was equally as beautiful. We will defiently be back.
(4)Sally K.
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(1)Randy B.
Atmosphere is great. We had a great view of the sunset. We had oysters to start and they were nice and fresh. We also had the bass for dinner which had nice flavors. I would definitely come again.
(4)Brigitte H.
I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly the hostesses were even though it was somewhat difficult for us to find the perfect table, the sun on the deck was so hot and bright. By moving tables our server seems to have forgotten us. However, a friendly , super efficient other server came to the rescue. He quickly attended to us despite the fact that this was not his table to serve. We started off with half a dozen fresh BC oysters that were sweet and fabulously delicious. I had the seared Ahi with forbidden rice. Perfectly prepared! My husband had the angel hair pasta with lobster, the flavor was incredible, perfectly prepared with a hint of lemon , fresh Parmesan and fresh pepper. What a feast, while enjoying a most beautiful sunset.
(4)Beck P.
We were there on Aug 8 and had a wonderful experience. We were staying in Oceanside but were looking for somewhere to dine right on the water, believe it or not there are not that many places right on the water and all are pricey. I picked Pacific Coast Grill because of the view and the menu. I made a reservation and asked to be outside on the deck. When we arrived they sent us upstairs and said they were just waiting for the people to leave (they had already paid the check) and that we should have a drink at the bar. The place was busy, atmosphere is fun, chic casual, the bar was filled with 30-something sand there were no bar stools but the bartender took our drink order very quickly and tried to engage us in a little friendly conversation. After a 5 or so minutes the girl came to take us to the table and it was a two top on the edge of the deck right in front of the door going in and out. I didn't like the location of the table and told her we would be okay waiting for a different table to open up, she said that would be fine. We waited maybe 10 more minutes and she seated us at a fabulous table right up against the glass, right over the crashing waves. They bring a basket of bread and it was tasty and then we both had a Caesar salad. The salad was nice sized, fresh and cold and the dressing was good. My husband had the Seafood Pasta which has Scallops, Shrimp, Lobster, Mahi and is served with Linguine. The Scallops were cooked perfectly and so were the Shrimp, there were only two pieces of Lobster but he really didn't expect a lot. The sauce was good and the portion was just right. I ordered the Margarita Braised Short Rib with Blue corn polenta....oh my gosh, it was SOOO good. Cooked just right, falling apart and the flavor of the polenta was outstanding....it was one of the best things I ever had....maybe second only to the Fresh Crab Cocktail at Maestro's in Newport Beach. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, the view was amazing. The prices are bit high but for this type of restaurant and location it was less then most of the others in the same category. We would definitely return if in the area.
(4)P M.
We went there for my husband bday for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by the great view, delicious food, pleasant waiters, and good Sevice. We will be back for sure and highly recommend it.
(5)Jake M.
Had dinner here last night. Waiting staff was very attentive. We decided to eat outside. It was a little cold so they move a heater and got us blankets. Everything we ordered was great. It's pretty cool to have dinner.
(5)nottellinya a.
Pretty bad. Stepped in there and were asked where we would like to sit. We had the audacity to request upstairs, which confused the people at the front as to why we wouldn't just go upstairs? This is our first time here, that is why. It is not normal to just wander around a restaurant when there are people right in front of the door waiting to ask where you want to sit. Nice view, sat outside. Server was prompt, impersonal but I don't mind that. However, I do expect basic manners such as punctuating requests to me with a simple 'please'. Food was a let-down. Ordered the lobster tacos. What I got was a small pot of lobster broth, plopped on some black beans, with four tortilla folded on the side. I didn't order crap fajitas, nor did I order DIY tacos, I ordered tacos. You figgin make them, or at least tell me that I am going to have to! The lobster was OK. The ahi salad was ok. The margarita was alright, too much ice, not that they asked me how I would like it, I had to pull them back to tell them. The only impressive point was when I saw a busser go out of his way to pick up some garbage that he had spotted and he could easily walked by it. Props. The view is great, but the place is not. I will not return. Parking is $4 for valet, or $6 for the public one or you can park for free on the beach and then walk. No big deal. You must order food to sit outside, I don't think this is a problem. Time-wasters are to blame.
(2)Brendan F.
I get it when your at a place like this you pay for the view, but come on guys the food was crap. I ordered a lobster taco and they gave me a bowl filled with boiled shit. Go here for happy hour and buy high price drinks coupled with the pacific, but don't expect a good meal
(1)Jason C.
Great view but the staff and management is a bit confused. I was told multiple times 'the patio is entree service...blah blah blah...' it was 430PM and there was NO on there and we were continually brow beaded for ordering apps vs entrees...not real good at math but im pretty sure that $115 bill is more than most entrees with no drinks and water...over all i'd rather just get a 6 pack of IPA's and sit on the rocks below the deck with a sandwich vs be told 'people normally order entrees...' I usually tip 20-25% on checks but i made an exception on this on....
(2)Barbara S.
I was very disappointed with this meal, while I understand we are paying for the view, the food should taste good with those prices, especially when competing with the high end restaurants, Market, Pamplemousse, Mille Fleur...etc. We have been going to the previous location for years, and the lobster tacos were always so yummy, the ones we had last night were so watery and had no flavor. They also forgot to include the beans that the menu says it comes with so the server brought them on the side. Definitely not the experience we had hoped for. And based on last nights experience we would definitely not go back.
(1)debbie g.
This place is AMAZING! Not only is the food fabulous, but the decor, ambiance, and VIEWS are fabulous. FIVE star all the way. I went her for a birthday lunch with my hard-to-please mom and we both LOVED it! I'm going back again very soon. Definitely a destination for locals and an impressive spot for visitors , too! It is a little pricey, but money well spent.
(5)Karla H.
We came here for our 4 year anniversary back in April, don't judge, I've been busy, Any how... We came and were not disappointed! We ordered the yellowtail tartare stack for an appetizer and I had the crab crusted mahi and the fella had the pan seared sea bass... Both were amazing. I found a pin bone in mine just as the manager happened to walk by, he was mortified. Super apologetic and offered a free desert for the error. We enjoyed everything we had and will be back to try the sushi.
(5)Gary G.
Fast becoming a coastal favorite. Magnificent view,especially the lower patio, and great service. Everything on the menu has been fantastic. Love the lobster tacos, truffle fries are a must. The margaritas are the bomb, especially the blackberry. You'll love it!
(5)An L.
Awesome! Lobster Carbonara was d-lish. Great service, great food and great view! A bit pricey, but I'm a fan! Also, you HAVE to valet. Parking is dismal - $5
(4)Banu K.
um, not the best experience for round two. the whole fam (2 older kids, hubs) came for sunday brunch. we were the only ones seated upstairs for a bit as the place was dead (beautiful views though!) we weren't served a wine menu, even though i love wine! (others were, btw, so i noticed this and it wasn't nice.) hubs and i had the house white sangria, which was delish, a little steep for $10. kids had OJ. i ordered coffee, never got a spoon to stir the cream, so i used my fork nicely. daughter ordered the sweet potato pancakes. soft. delicious. cinnamony. itty bitty ramekin of syrup, needed more for 3 huge pancakes. son ordered off the verbal kids menu, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, pancakes. basic. did the trick for him. i ordered the cardiff reef roll, i've had it before. no chopsticks served, and no one came back for me to ask. when i asked, it still took him over 5 minutes to get it even though the family was basically done eating it. hubs ordered the surf and turf roll. he comes back in 10 minutes (no food yet), and tells hubs "the kitchen doesn't have the surf and turf roll available because they don't have the ingredients. ummm. why is it on your brunch menu. and i'm pretty sure we are the first two or three people here this morning at 10:30am, so there's no chance you ran out of kobe beef already? no acceptable, he should have warned us way before, or simply taken off of menu that clearly states "sunday brunch menu". not the best service. a little 'sorry' gesture would have been nice, but nothing. a very loud table got seated next to us with a drunk girl already. just all around not so much fun. $100 later, i'm not sure i'll be back. it was turning out to be a fave of mine! should i give it another chance?
(2)Marji E.
This was my first time dining here. We arrived early and got a great table. Our server was excellent and attentive. Every course was delicious. The Parmesan truffle French fries are to-die-for. I had a scallop special, delish. My friend had the mahi mahi, it was paired with a caramely sauce that was out of this world. All in all, a great experience. All the support staff were excellent as well.
(5)Rhondi S.
Love the new contemporary look and feel. Excellent fresh seafood Flavors and dinner options. Great bar to hang out in, great appetizers, excellent service and pretty ocean views.
(4)Jeremy M.
The restaurant is charming and the setting overlooking the ocean is tremendous. You have to valet but that is part of having an upscale restaurant right there on the beach. Our server was very engaging and responsive and the service was good. The food is good but not great--they can get away with that because of their location. The calamari was so overly breaded it was crazy. What I liked was that the waitress was so open for feedback and said that the restaurant takes ALL feedback they can get and works hard to continually improve. The kids enjoyed running around at the beach and playing nearby while we waited for our food. So that was a big plus. In my opinion, this restaurant has 3-star food with a 5-star view. Last year we ate at the Beach House next door and I thought this was a step up all around.
(4)Natalie F.
"The food was amazing, but the views top it all!"
(5)Trish S.
Random Date Night: Also known as nights when I refuse to make the dining selection. Being of a certain level of yelpness, when anyone within a 50 mile radius of me is hungry-I provide useful, funny, cool recommendations: Which I love to do.(Elite CM status say whaaa??) But on date night? That's the BF's problem, I'm just here to look pretty. We braved the valet clusterfreakedyf-ing craziness to try the PCG. This is a nice place, I think they thought, "it's so nice, people will beam down from heaven to dine here, we don't need parking." But that didn't really work out, therefore, they hired a slew of polite young men (sometimes on skateboards? wowza) to maneuver those Mercedes to and fro with the greatest of ease. Tip your valet people, it's a tough gig. Tis the price you pay for beachfront dining too, so get over it. We strolled in sans reservation, also a no no at this place but when you're dating a lucky Irish chick as my BF happens to be, a bit o' luck rubs off on you, and we snagged a spot in the bar no problem-o. (if you're not super lucky, like lucky charms lucky, don't even try this, it's a busy joint) I had an absolutely delicious mojito to settle in. The service was slow however, it took awhile for the waitress to acknowledge us (she was chatting with some people for awhile) and once ordered, my drink was really slow in making it's way to my awaiting hands. The views are lovely and distracted us, there is patio dining, and an upstairs section that is stunning. The BF, with his logical engineer-type mind, noticed so many subtle details. The flooring for one, and the slick bar. The construction on this place took awhile, but worth it. We started with a fresh and tasty sushi roll with salmon and mango, the nights special, and they make it right in front of you in a section of the bar. Always nice! The timing of the meal was a bit off, rather than too slow now was a bit too fast (food stacking up pretty quick) The bread basket was warm and tasted just baked-yum yum! BF enjoyed a bowl of the lobster/shrimp chowder: He really liked that. I tend to stalk new menu's and I knew from the moment we pulled in that I was ordering the Mahi Mahi, crusted with cornbread and shrimp, on a bed of VANILLA RICE. Now, it's not like a risotto, it's almost like they infused the water they boiled the rice in? I'd say coconut milk, but it was distinctly vanilla? But it's not really that creamy-anyways, officially my favorite thing I've eaten in awhile. Amazing amazing, I dream of it at night. Turkey meatloaf for the giant man, he enjoyed it. In fact he said it was as good as the one I make ( well, huff!) No dessert, just coffee for us both, and again, the service wasn't quite 5 stars as our server never checked back with us for coffee refills. I totally plan on going back and I'm sure as they settle into their well deserved prime location, they'll be 5 stars in no time. Try it for an upscale coastal dining experience.
(4)Michael H.
Fantastic! Great service, great patio, try the margaritas!!
(5)Pat J.
Excellent food from an eclectic menu served promptly by courteous staff. Super view of the ocean! Thanks for a great meal!
(4)Michael R.
I normally give a restaurant either a 5star review, or a 1 star with not too much middle ground. We came for my daughter's 21st birthday last night and we weren't that impressed so have to go for 3 stars. We were seated and got drinks. My daughter finished hers and we had to wait another 5-10 minutes to see the waitress to order another one. (it's her 21st Birthday and she WANTED to have a few drinks!) The non-alcoholic drinks were served in very small glasses (as the mixed alcoholic drinks were) and they were empty for at least 10 minutes also. We tried the truffle fries and Shrimp Dumplings for appetizers. The Shrimp dumplings came with only 4 and although the sauce was great, we were unimpressed overall. The truffle fries were thin-cut and came in a small super-greasy paper bag!? The flavor was fairly decent, but they should serve 2-3 sauces with them. Then the Baja Wedge salad was not that great, and then entree's. We had the baby back ribs, the short ribs, and the Pacific Paella. The ribs were decent, but I wasn't that impressed with the Paella. The kids topped it all off with the Tempura Banana split and it was good. After reading the other reviews, and considering the pricing, ($27-29 for entree's) we expected a lot better service and food. The views are fantastic, but the food didn't live up to many of the 5 stars reviews I had read prior to coming. The bill came out to just over $200 without tip and 2 of us didn't drink alcohol. For that kind of money (on a MONDAY), I would rather spend 10% more and eat at Donovan's or somewhere else where service AND food is a #1 priority.
(3)Gwen S.
Had a wonderful meal with good service. Blackberry margarita was excellent, raw oysters fresh and the passion fruit mignonette was to die for. Will be back!
(4)Jessica R.
Location, location, location. You cannot beat the view at this place and the food is not half bad either. I had the sashimi ahi salad which was fresh and delicious. The table ordered chips and guacamole which were very good. Everyone in my party enjoyed their meals. This place is pricey so be prepared to drop some dollars but it is to be expected as it is a seafood restaurant right on the beach. The service was very good. I dropped a star because I wish they had a happy hour and I probably would frequent more often.
(4)Taylor D.
Pacific Coast Grill, you're alright. You fit the mold of the restaurants that surround you. But excuse my grammatical error of starting a sentence with "but", but I need you to not get too carried away with the tomato sauce in my seafood pasta next time. Granted everything I ate here was overall a successful mission to Mars for my statebuds, well with the exception of using more rice on your sushi rolls than....well I can't really think of a funny analogy that has to do with an overabundance of rice, but if I did it would pretty darn funny! Anyhow, the seafood pasta I had was absolutely fresh, I mean so fresh that I think I saw Aquaman crying over how many sea animals were dead, steaming mixed in my noodles. You know what gets a big tip for me? Frequent and attentive refills of my beverage. I'm a thirsty fellow, whether it be for blood, libations, Juicy Juice, Capri-Sun, Iced-tea, or even the occasional glass of water! The waitress I had was an absolute saint of a beverage refresher-er(?). I mean, like with all waitresses they get over it and give me two extra glasses of iced-tea as backups, but thats here nor there! Round of applause and a golf clap for my dining experience, Pacific Coast Grill.
(4)texas a.
Myself and two buddies went here after the Races on Sunday. The good: Sat in the bar at a table and the girl serving us was excellent. She stayed on top of everything and made eye contact as she passed our table to make sure we didn't need more beers etc. We asked her for hot sauce and she offered us 3 choices. We asked her for bread and she said no problem. I asked for the tab and it was there in a mater of seconds - great service and hats off to the girl working the downstairs bar tables on Sunday. The bad. 1. When a customer pays $27.00 for "Lobster Tacos", they better blow my mind and they sure as hell better be lobster tacos. There was no blowing of the mind here and what I got was some sort of do-it-yourself, strange lobster in a french onion bowl tacos. Lobster chunks in stewed tomatoes and broth with tortillas on the side is not what anyone coming to Pacific Coast Grill wants when they order lobster tacos. 2. Don't put a bowl of anything on top of a bowl/plate of black beans - its a bad plating move. I can hear Robert Irvine asking "why is this bowl sitting on top of these beans? Is the customer supposed to dig around the bottom of a dish to get to their food? take that out of there and don't do it again." the bottom of one dish should never be in the food of another dish. Think about it - do you want something that's been sitting on a shelf or being handled sitting in your food? of course not. My advise - Just make Lobster tacos: tortillas LOADED with lobster (go ahead and take half a grilled lobster tail, dunk it in some butter and plant it right on a hot corn tortilla) and a nice slaw on top. BIG FAT LOBSTER TACOS LOADED WITH LOBSTER AND SLAW. On the side a big fat portion of those truffle fries. There - now you just made everyone happy who comes to Pacific Coast Grill and orders the first entree listed on the menu.
(2)Joe Y.
Gorgeous place to have a meal and drinks. The restaurant gods smiled on us as we came off the sand, bypassed an hour long waiting list to find seats in the bar. There is a lot of seating in the bar and the service is great. Our party of four indulged in their huge beer, wine and spirits list for a while until we decided to eat dinner. I loved the seafood paella because it was a hardy portion of rice jam-packed with seafood. A small but juicy lobster tail, muscles, shrimp and scallops abundantly accompanied the saffron rice. The views of the water are incredible and there is parking along the street as well as valet services. I will definitely return next time I am in town.
(5)Rich C.
Upon arrival Valet (no choice) was decent. A little backed up and a lot going on. Not their fault. We walk in and I feel like there are too many hostesses and not so good communication as our waitress started walking to our table without us knowing she was for us. However, we were sat promptly at our reservation time at a window to the beach... And this place was buzzin. Only 3 short minutes before water was brought to us; Great considering how nuts it was. Our drinks came 12 minutes after we ordered. Another good display. Our waitress Chrissy was attentive and suggestive from start to finish. Calamari out fast, Mahi Mahi (her order) was great but the sauce only ok (apple cider soy butter) and the rice.. Eh. My Filet - fantastic! Perfectly cooked. Asparagus and mashed was insane in the (peppercorn brandy sauce). Chocolate custard surrounded by a scoop each of coffee ice cream was amazing! Good ambience--- Soft reggae. Almost two total hours there. All in all--- good dining experience. Culinary wise-- I'd have to say Jakes Del Mar is better. Just how it is.
(4)Aswang L.
Good food, beautiful view. Service could be better, tends to run on the slow side. Parking is limited, so your choices are: park and pay at the state beach, run for your life from across the street or use valet. I suggest valet for $4.
(3)Angeline G.
View is amazing, as is any restaurant on the coast. We had reservations at 5pm, which was outside. She recommended that there is a table available upstairs right by the window and the view is just as fantastic. So we decided to take that. We walked upstairs and was immediately greeted. She lead us to our table and the sun was just setting..so beautiful. We ordered the Yellowtail tartare as an appetizer, it was okay needed a little more salt. My boyfriend ended up ordering the Turkey meatloaf, which had a strange texture almost like mushy meat. It was good, but a turn off on the texture. I ordered the Hawaiian style beef short ribs...WHOA, I didn't realize it was going to be a RACK of short ribs- definitely will be some left overs. Valet is an option for $4 dollars or you can park on the street. This place is highly recommended, especially if you want a beautiful view of the sunset.
(5)Amanda I.
Excellent food and service. Tried the bag of bones, calamari, sushi and Kung pao lobster and steak. One of the best meals I have ever had. View of the ocean was beautiful as well. Only complaint was it was a little loud.
(5)Mitzi M.
After we having a disastrous, gross meal. We went to OLD faithful PCG. ALWAYS GREAT FOOD, amazing service and stunning views. Well worth the prices, always a great meal prepared with creativity, always a safe bet for deli it's food and friendly, courteous service!
(5)Renee M.
I just got back from a big work birthday lunch and decided to write my review while everything is fresh! There was about 9 of us and when we go out, it's so loud and rambunctious :l Luckily, the girls who took care of us were super nice and patient, I had to say thank you a hundred times to show that we were grateful even though my coworkers didn't make it seem that way! My chicken quesadilla was good! It's a shame I filled up on bread before. THE BREAD! SO GOOD! Yummy rosemary butter too! The quesadilla had corn in it- kind of gross. I could barely taste it but I hate corn, so next time I'll ask for it without. My coworkers had, (and yes I went around like a loser and took pictures of it all): Seafood pasta- she loved it. Said the seafood in it was way better than the pasta and it was impressive how large the fish was! All the sushi rolls off the menu were ordered and they all said they were great. Bag of Bones- I heard it was decent, it looked yummy to me! Surf and Turf Burger- HUGE. Oh my gosh it was huge. Looked incredibly filling, I heard it was very delicious. Lots more was ordered, the Parmesan fries, mimosas, a bottle of Shiraz! We all were very please with everything we ordered! The view is worth a trip to dine. I saw something upstairs but I didn't get to go investigate, I'm guessing it's another bar. Everyone who worked there had great style haha, they all were outgoing and friendly. I guess to end this thing, my advice would be to go for lunch- wasn't as crowded on the patio and the view was beautiful. Would be a great spot to bring out of towners. The price wasn't too awful, but you get what you pay for- fresh quality food. I will be back!
(4)Tina T.
Great restaurant for bringing out-of-town guests. The restaurant sits right on the beach. Contemporary, Casual, California cool. Friendly staff. Delicious food and even better libations. I will be returning! Thanks PCF for such a wonderful dining experience!
(5)Bella V.
Over $100 per person, one entree and one drink each, shared appetizer and shared dessert, The most greasy food in town! Extremely overly priced for the extremely poor quality and selection. The two stars are because the view is quite amazing, if not for the view I would give 5 minus stars. We started with the appetizer "Sashimi Grade Ahi Wonton Taco" which dripped in frying oil. Really gross and not edible. I left them all and the waiter did not even ask why I did not eat them, maybe they know, or are more interested in selling drinks..... The entrees were similarly unappetizing as the cook, I cannot use the word chef, tries to be creative by mixing flavours and textures that really do not fit well together (mushrooms, fish, who knows what else). Their "creations"s taste like the cook bought some food at a close-out, and tossed it together thinking it would pass for fancy. There are so many good seafood restaurants and many places with gorgeous views, save your stomach and go somewhere else!
(2)Alisa M.
WOW WOW WOW. Wine reduction on shrimp dumplings. WOW WOW WOW. I could put that stuff on an old shoe and it would be devine. You can't beat the view here either. My hubby had the Cowboy steak which is an 18 oz ribeye. Perfectly cooked. The sides, potatoe fingerlings and bacon wrapped asparagus make for a hearty meal. I would never have been able to finish it off but my husband was so in love with it he couldn't put his fork down. The missing star is because they don't offer happy hour. Total bummer for sure but I will be back for the port wine reduction. I don't care what they put it on I'm gonna eat it!!
(4)Micah P.
This place was okay. The only unique thing about this place was the view. We were hoping for the Beach House, but it was closed down for remodeling. We were trying to find a nice brunch and mimosa restaurant on the beach somewhere. We decided on this place because it did have a brunch menu. The mimosas at this place were ridiculously overpriced. at about $10 a glass. The food that came out was mediocre and no fresh muffins or fruits were offered for brunch, as we've grown accustom to at the Beach House. I ordered the calamari, which cost $11, and was nothing special. It was bland and I've had better at other restaurants. The wait staff were not very good. Our server was nice, but was too spacey and goofy. It seemed like she smoked one too many joints before work. And the other wait staff members acted like angry over-worked mothers. Not one of them smiled and gave the look of death to our waitress when she said something smart ass to her. This place seems to discriminate against people who are not wealthy. My friends asked about happy hour specials they scoffed at us and told us they didn't need to do that. I have asked this question before there and got the same answer and attitude, basically saying to keep my cheap ass at home. I don't think I will return to this place. The parking here is near impossible unless you do the valet (which is like $4). The food was good but not worth the price and the staff needs some training in customer service.
(3)Neal A.
1. Great views, can't take that away from this establishment. 2. Our server was awesome. You could tell that he had some fine dining experience, in the way he conducted himself. He was a younger guy, who was laid back but very on the ball. If I were to return, I would 100% sit in his section. 3. Im a big dude, and the chairs on the patio are not at all made for big guys. I actually asked them to get me a different chair, because I felt like a sardine crammed in a tin. The cool thing was, that our server brought me a different chair immediately and told me that this was a frequent issue. 4. The appetizers were quite delicious, with the exception of the fries which were a bit limp and under seasoned. On the contrary, the fried calamari was awesome, crispy, crunchy, the calamari itself was a perfect texture, fresh, soft and not chewy in the least bit. I would go back just for the calamari. The two rolls we ordered were the Cardiff Reef and the PCG. Im not really a sushi roll guy, but the two we ordered were pretty darn good, and I am a bit of a sushi snob. 5. The reason I didn't give Pacific Coast Grill a 4 star review is based on my wife's and I main fish dishes, the Sous Vide Alaskan Halibut and the Pan Seared Sea Bass. My sous vide halibut was on the dry side, and that entirely defeats the point of it being cooked sous vide! My crab risotto, had no sign of crab in it, and the overall flavors were underwhelming at best. My wife's sea bass suffered in very similar ways, and they were both a big disappointment. Neither of us came even close to finishing our main courses. On a positive note, my buddy that had the lobster tacos seemed to be quite content, and my other friend who ordered the lobster bacon carbonara (which was hardly a carbonara and more of a creamy Alfredo type preparation) was thrilled with the copious amounts of lobster. 6. Due to the overall experience, I want to return to PCG and give it another try. I had dined with them in their previous location, but I understand they have a new chef now. Give this place a try, it has many good qualities and a great atmosphere. I am hoping to have a more well rounded experience on my next visit.
(3)Abby W.
I'm giving Pacific Coast Grill three stars and that's mainly for the view and ambiance. For the past three years, my boyfriend and I have regularly visited the Beach House next door. When we found out last weekend that it was closed, we scrambled to find a suitable replacement and ended up checking out Pacific Coast Grill. Compared to the Beach House, there's no denying that PCG has the advantage on decor. It's very nicely decorated and everything looks clean and fresh. We sat upstairs on the covered patio and enjoyed a lovely view of the ocean. There are ample heaters to keep you warm on a cool day but we were surprised that they were blasting on an 80-degree day too. We actually had to request that the one next to us be turned off. My boyfriend and I were looking for a light meal and ended up choosing two appetizers. I ordered the truffle fries as I have a weakness for all things potato and he chose the calamari. Unfortunately, I was less than impressed with my fries. I've eaten truffle fries at other restaurants and became obsessed with them. If this had been my first encounter with truffle fries, I likely wouldn't be interested in trying them again. The fries had a funny flavor that I can't quite put my finger on and the ranch dressing that I requested as a side was also less than ideal. On the plus side, the quantity was a good amount but I just had no desire to eat them all. I'd return if they offered some sort of brunch special, like the Beach House used to, but I likely won't be back otherwise. The menu is a bit too pricey for the quality of the food.
(3)Tam D.
2nd time in 2 weeks...I love this place with Ocean/Sunset view, especially in summer on the clear sky!!! Outside seats should be preferred on top floor...What a coincident that we have the same server/waitress; and she is super good on service and recommending...Try several dishes from hot starters to on and offshore. All are good; but preferably better that I have chosen to my appetite: Appetizer: 1. Dungeness Crab Cakes with seared scallops, roasted corn, jalapeno-hollandaise & crispy potatoes...DAMN GOOD 2. Oaxaca Roll Kobe beef, chipotle crab, shishito peppers, crème fraiche, mole sauce & tortilla strips (well, they said Kobe beef; but I do not think it is legitimate-(As usual advertising by many restaurants). Best bet may be American Kobe...LOL Entries: 1. Sesame-Crusted Seared Ahi coconut forbidden rice (xôi np than-yummy, ngon không th tng), beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter 2. Coriander-Orange Wild Salmon heirloom squash, fire roasted artichokes & blood orange reduction Desserts: Tempura Banana Split. It is a five stars...Only one place that I gave 6: my wife did it!!! LOL Will be back again!!!
(5)Michaun M.
Love this place. Great views and great to bring guests.
(5)Tatiana G.
Beautiful ocean view, great and delicious food. Fast service. Great place for lunch with friend
(5)Tipton H.
If it's ocean view, a friendly, staff, and good seafood this is the place. March 16th was our 47th anniversary and I had asked for a good table. The table for two center upstairs was perfect. Our waiter was more than friendly and allowed us the time and space between cocktails, appetizers, salads, and entree's to enjoy our special occasion and a glorious sunset. We'll go back! P.S. The ahi taco appetizers are to die for!
(4)Laura D.
Absolutely fab meal with my lawyer friend Rita. Beautiful day, ocean view, sorta noisy but oh well. Nice, friendly services, comfy booths. We both had the mixed greens salads which were crispy and fragrant with just the right amount of dressing and blobs of bleu cheese. Really a treat. I had been wanting to try the filet and lobster enchiladas and was I ever glad I did! One with steak, one with lobster, with beans, rice and salsa. Very upscale version. Absolutely delicious light creamy sauce on top. Wow. What a dish. Will be back for this again. Rita had the lobster tacos. She loved them, and the flavor was good, but I don't like having to make them myself. They serve the lobster filling in a little bowl. It's very drippy, and you have to put the lobster stuff into the tortillas. Very messy. But Good. Love this place.
(5)Millie K.
Food and service was fabulous! Met friends for dinner... We took our time ordering drinks, appetizers, and our meal. Waitress was attentive, checked back to clear plates, allowed us time before asking if we were ready to order next course.. Making it a fabulous memorable experience! The ocean. View to see the sunset was icing on the cake! OHHHHH and the desserts.. Mmmm!
(5)Noah S.
We had the most amazing meal The wine selection is incredible So many kinds of wines from up AND down the west coast No wines from the East coast shockingly ? Next we had the cowboy steak and the chilean sea bass Yum!! I asked for my steak to be grey and chewy and deep fried just like the original cowboys ate But they refused They would only make it succulent and flavorful Oh well The fish was also good , it in fact was kickass sea bass but i couldn't tell how they knew what country it was from ! Next we ordered tiramisu ! Good luck trying to get that but no dice I begged Blake M our waiter man with dimples to please demand the chef whip something up Finally he relented and brought out some family secret recipe bread pudding! Yum! Ill tell you what the secret is! Its NOT tiramisu !!! Blake M is great and even tried to steal my lady friend right in front of me and i almost let him HES that smooth J.B. Smoove in fact ! Be sure to ask him about the largest cattle ranch in the USA & his favorite Brad Pitt & Tom Cruise & Christian Bale movies! He's a good kid & seems excited about finally renting a car someday!! &make them Get some dang Tiramisu!
(5)Natasha K.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Good place for dates, friends, and family. We came for Easter brunch, they had a great selection of items.
(5)Christine P.
I hate wasting money and this was a waste of money. Great location, decent service, but not very impressed by the food. After visiting their website we made the drive for a specific dish; we discovered about 30 minutes after being seated that it's only available during dinner. No exceptions. Ok so we moved to plan B: lobster and crab burger for my husband and a lobster bacon sandwich for me with their lobster and shrimp chowder to start. Everything was lack luster and bland! On top of everything else they were slow and not baby friendly (no changing tables!) by the time we got served, we could have had the meL we went for! We will never be going back!
(2)Rita H.
This place is fantastic! It's literally located on the beach and the view is fantastic! I, mean, sure, parking is limited but at just $4 you can save yourself the hassle of circling for a spot and just valet your car. And speaking of valet, their service is awesome...super friendly and speedy and no dilly dallying. Now let's move on to the real reason you're here yelping this place, the food. I got the ahi tuna salad and can honestly say that the ahi tuna, seaweed and mango came together to create the perfect symphony of flavors. My tastebuds were dancing! It was so refreshingly delicious, I'd definitely come back for it!
(4)Steven M.
My family an I went for my birthday dinner. 7/20/15 I made reservations two week before. We had a small wait to get the table I wanted. Great drinks and the food was wonderful for all five of us. My family thanked me for finding the Pacific Coast Grill. We all want to come back again next year.
(5)Michelle H.
I went back for another brunch and our server was great and the valet guy was super friendly and laid back. I think I made better food choices this time, it was good and better than last time but I still don't think it was great. I am way more likely to go back than I was after my first visit though, I mean you just can't beat the location and view, I just wish they didn't rely on that to get people into the restaurant.
(4)Jeff M.
Had friends in town that had never been to the area and I was looking for a nice place to take them for lunch that would represent the area well. Pacific Coast Grill fits the bill. Understanding that they can get busy during normal eating hours and having the flexibility to go when we pleased, we arrived after the lunch rush (around 2pm) on a Tuesday and had no issue with being offered immediate dinning both inside or out. The ocean front view is worthy of the additional price of the meal (this ain't no Micky D's). The lunch menu was adequate and if you stay within your boundaries (one drink), you can walk out of there for about $100 for a party of 4. It does cost $4 to valet as mentioned previously but if you want to walk before or after your meal, you can cheap it out and find free parking elsewhere if time permits. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals (1-local wrap, 2 - veggie burgers and a seafood cob salad). We stayed about 2 hours and never felt rushed to leave so it was an enjoyable experience for all of us. We found our server to be low key and had a nice dry sense of humor. Front desk and valet were both very pleasant. We will definitely be back.
(5)J T.
What is not to like? On the beach, great views, relaxed atmosphere and good food. Actually the Ahi tuna with ponzu reduction, black rice and tiny mushrooms was phenomenal. Ponzu is like a magic elixir though. Even so, this dish is other worldly. I'll probably have flashbacks.
(4)Tori B.
As all the previous reviews say, the view from this restaurant is amazing. The big windows throughout the entire restaurant and how they position the tables, really capitalizes on the beauty. For view and ambiance alone, I would give this place 5 stars. I also found the service to be good, friendly and helpful and typically prompt. The food one the other hand, was quite disappointing. Here's why: - I ordered the seafood paella. I asked for no scallops and more shrimp and was granted my request (score). What I ended up getting was more like seafood tomato risotto. I've had paella many times including in Spain, and this was nowhere close to what I was expecting. I really didn't like it. Thankfully, the shrimp was the best part! - My Husband ordered the seafood carbonara, which I found to be quite good. A bit watery, but overall met expectations. - We had bread pudding for dessert, which as a "gift" for my Husband's Birthday. It was beyond delicious and we all ate it up quickly. It was served quite warm, which is just the way I like it! For the views alone, this restaurant is worth a try. On a weekday it was packed, so clearly everyone else agrees. I was definitely go back and try something else, but it is very expensive, so maybe happy hour... not sure if they have that, but I would be in!
(3)Jim L.
We read YELP reviews and decided to try this place out for lunch. It was FAR beyond our expectations! Every element - the hospitality, the menu, the taste of the food....the sauces (WOW) were stellar. Our table was #101 and it was in the corner window - could not have been better with views of the Pacific that rival a quick trip to Hawaii! Ask for a server by the name of Joe - incredible! Going back? I think so!
(5)Cheri D.
Amazing view. Amazing food. And even more amazing service thanks to David. Went for my mom's bday with husband and Dad. Just the perfect setting and each dish was better than the next. Lobster bacon carbonara is TO DIE FOR. As is the halibut and Baja wedge salad with tempura jalapeños YUMM! Will be back often guaranteed.
(5)Puiwah B.
Came here for Sunday brunch. Everyone loved their meal - ordered crab cake benedict, ahi tuna salad and their S&P breakfast. Washed it down with mimosas and a Bloody Mary. The view itself of the ocean is enough to get me back here. Parking is valet. We got here early but by the time we left, the place was very busy. Took a walk along the beach before getting our cars. Definitely will return to try other menu items.
(4)Tom D.
Family had dinner on Saturday. Service is great, food is outstanding and location right on the beach cant be better. Highly recommend it.
(5)Allie S.
Beautiful views! inexpensive valet parking! very friendly service! tasty/healthy food combinations! really great place!! One tip: I'm pretty sure you can't sit at a table without ordering food. I'm not sure if that applies at the bar, or if there is a bar, I didn't really look for one, but we were so indecisive about what to get, we told our server we changed our mind on ordering and he informed us that they're not supposed to let us do that, but would make an exception. we ended up splitting a dish so that we were following the rules...
(5)Jennifer K.
Wowza. We have booked our rehearsal luncheon for our wedding here, which will be taking place in September. We did this based on the incredible location and views, without even trying the food. Well, we went. And we were not disappointed. We were able to sit on the very beach side patio we will have to ourselves on that day. The server was great, the food was great, the MARGS were GREAT! The interior is well done. I just love it. I can't wait to bring our guests here, they will be wowed for sure. 8 months to go!
(5)Kristine B.
$98.00 for food positioning! What a bargin.. I see I'm not the first. I'm going to tell everyone I know to never eat here! What a shit hole!
(1)Corra c.
The shrimp app, the surf and turf roll and oysters are to die for! Scallop dinner small for the price but tasty. Bag of bones all time fav! Short rib is the best around. I can't say enough to great things. Always friendly staff.
(5)K B.
First off -no happy hour pricing but still found those hours to be very happy. ;) I think I'm ok without happy hour pricing because I think it keeps the riff raff out and keeps it classy. Although paying their regular (kinda pricy) prices for food and drinks, I cannot afford to attend but rarely or on a special occasion. The view from this place is priceless. If you want great food and want to eat this close to the ocean you are very limited. And if I had to choose, I'd choose PCG over and over again. Their specialty drinks are good, meals and anything I've tried there are great. The chocolate custard dessert: OMG! It's amazing, super rich so great to share. I LOVE sweets but my mom & I couldn't finish it. The kona coffee gelato they serve with it is very good. Add a dessert cocktail with it & you're set! I like the peppermint-mocha martini. Personally, without listing everything I've eaten here, I think you'll find anything you get off the menu to be top notch & taste amazing. Pricey, but worth it. They make great food, have a great atmosphere and you just cannot beat the view-period.
(4)Britt T.
We had a memorable Father's Day sunset dinner here, food was great, the tuna tartare was not great, but everything else was good. Fusion menu
(5)Tiffany G.
This place is beautiful. The decor is phenomenal, the food is outstanding, and the cocktails were the perfect blend of strong without being gross. Our server left something to be desired as it was not busy at all when we went (a Wednesday around 330-4) and we had a hard time getting her attention so I gave up and walked to the bar myself when we needed refills. All in all, if our server would've been paying attention I would've given them 5 stars, this place is great and I will be back!
(4)KT T.
Positives: Location, Location, Location Negatives: Parking, food, value I have only been there once, when they first opened. I'm sorry but I do not subscribe to the "well they just opened and they need time to get everything together" mentality. So, I won't be back. The value is just not worth a second visit. Everything was just meh. Bland.... not a fan.
(2)Marc T.
Loved the ambience on the patio - prompt wait staff with great drinks - inside looks great too especially post sunset....location can't be beat as to view - food choices were good - I ordered seafood pasta which was fair - the 18 oz steak looked awesome - the appetizer with soft shelled crab was fantastic - parking was easy ( $4 valet ) so no worries there - I would go again !
(4)Sal R.
My first time here. Had Valentine's dinner and all I can say is that I had a great experience! The view, the food and the service was top notch! Started off with a glass of Cabernet and Rosemary bread. Then the Lobster & Shrimp dumplings. Followed by Lobster Bisque Coconut soup. My entree was the Dungeness Crab Stuffed Sea Bass. The coup de grace was an excellent Tempura Banana Split for dessert! All very flavorful and delicious! Shout out to our waitress, Lori, for being wonderful, friendly and gracious! And the view ... WOW! We were seated on top in the patio area and we had a great view of the beach and sunset. Very romantic! I Valet parked ($4 plus tip). Great restaurant. I was very impressed. I will make a visit again.
(5)Jerry R.
Excellent food in a great location. We had the lobster tacos and filet sliders for lunch. Food was great and our waiter was fantastic. We will be back!
(5)Tami L.
PCG is another North County favorite of mine. Stopped in here for the first time back in June of 2013. Waterfront location with view so be sure and ask for a table close to the windows or one on the outside area (which I believe was small). One of their favorite items of mine is the ribs which I believe come with some french fries in a bag as well. Those are 'killer'. Absolutely yummy and you must get them if you go. I've had fish here (I fish) when I've been (twice) and PCG never disappoints. Hoping I can stop in for lunch and check out the lunch menu as well.
(4)Mary-Jane A.
I was really looking forward to going to this restaurant as I had read up on all the great reviews. As I am from out of town, I made the reservations a few weeks ago. When we got there for 8pm (Sunday), we were told immediately that the kitchen was closing at 8:30pm for maintenance and we would have to order our meals quickly. The food was good, however we felt rushed and by the time we finished at 9pm, the restaurant was empty. I wish that they had contacted me a head of time to let me know about the kitchen closing, they had my details. If I had known I would have gone to a different restaurant. It was our last evening in San Diego and was a dissappointing end to a great weekend.
(2)Sandra T.
Beautiful sunset, great food and amazing weather! Location.... Fantastic! Staff very attentive.
(5)James G.
Food was amazing, great staff! Alert to management- Dustin was amazing as was Phillip. We had the beet salad, crab cakes (awesome) seared ahi, chowder, vino and great conversation!
(5)Andy C.
I've really been excited to try this place since it's opened, but with the lack of parking on the coast, or the consistently packed valet lot, I've always just turned away and gone somewhere else for brunch. Man.... I really should have stayed away and trusted my gut, LITERALLY! Alas, I finally came yesterday to have brunch with a couple of friends and I was just automatically impressed with the view from the upstairs patio. The hosts never really greets me and my friend, so we just kind of walked in and told them we had friends here so we just walked right upstairs and outside to the patio area. My friends were already eating, but about 10 minutes later, our server, Mark, finally came over and greeted me and my friend, took our drinks and gave us some water. These drinks were the weakest I've ever had!! I ordered a Bloody Mary and basically just tasted like water and tomato juice. It was disgusting and weak. There was no flavor at all. My friend had ordered a mimosa and drank the first one, so she ordered a second. When she ordered the second, she please asked if there could be more champagne than orange juice. When the drink came out, it seemed like it was the other way around! There was more orange juice than champagne and just lacked the true mimosa taste. The food was ok. I had gotten a small snack due to lack of breakfast, so I decided to get the Salmon sushi roll. When I asked Mark about the roll and how many pieces it had, he guessed between 8-10. First, it's not that hard to remember how many pieces are in a sushi roll. All sushi rolls are made and cut the exact same way so there will always be the SAME NUMBER of sushi rolls made. Secondly, the quality of the fish here wasn't great. When Mark was finally cleaning our table, I don't know how many times he bumped into my right shoulder and hit me with the utensils or plate, but seriously, it's not that hard to properly clean a table with two plates and some knives and forks. I use to be a server for a number of years, I KNOW!!!!! After dining here, I got sick to my stomach from the sushi roll and just couldn't even move. Literally, about 30 minutes later, the quality of the fish got to my stomach. I will never come back here. This lack of service, lack of food quality, and lack of attention to detail just drove me away from coming back.
(1)Steve M.
What a great place in a perfect location. We got an outside table with direct access to the sand. The hostesses and wait staff were attentive, knowledgable and very friendly. We were catching up with old friends and there was never any pressure to hurry. Decent tap beer selection and my Local wrap was very tasty. Overall a great afternoon spent at the Pacific Coast Grill. Fantastic place to bring your out of town guests!
(5)Howard S.
Appetizers were served along with main course entrees and the food was terrible. We will not be coming back.
(2)Shelley L.
My husband and I just had the most amazing lunch. My husband had the shrimp tacos and I had The filet mignon sliders. For an appetizer we had the lobster and crab guacamole dip. Everything we had was delicious and the view in San Diego is unbeatable. Definitely a must go to restaurant.
(5)Laurel R.
I think this is a fabulous location! the food is fine service is ok as well, and it is kind of a normal, nothing amazing(except the location) experience for the higher end /higher price ranged restaurant. you pay to be on the beach and for that it is well worth the experience. I would like to see some 'signature' menu items, something that makes you crave to go back... To me, the entry area outside is very boring, just a big plain stucco wall. this is Cardiff by the Sea, a very cool and artsy surf world, so it would be nice to see some style, maybe a large mural, or beach rock/abalone or stone front endless possibilities, and blank wall should not be what it remains.
(3)Travis D.
Absolutely stunning pacific view from the patio seats. There is not a bad item on the menu and everything is cooked perfectly. The coffee is stellar if you are in the mood for a little pick me up. The house French fries are stellar also. They have heat lamps outside on the patio if the wind has picked up a bit and valet parking outside as an option if you're coming from out of town. This place is a little pricier, but sometimes you just gotta pay for the views.
(4)Alice C.
Friendly service, but the food is really not very good. We had the paella, the seared ahi, the shortribs and the tatare stack. The rice in the paella was undercooked (?) and lacked the creamy consistency of true paella. The ahi was fine, but didn't seem super fresh. Same with the yellowtail in the tatare. The shortrubs were tasty and melt-in-your- mouth. Come for the views and the vibe instead.
(3)Gus L.
My family and I ended up here by mistake, but we are glad we did. We meant to go to a restaurant next door which is current closed for re-modeling, but I gotta say we may come back to end up here again. The view is second to none of course with the windows literally on the sand. We also found the décor and service to be top notch. Everyone from the busers to the waitress was smiling and ready to help with anything we needed. This is a higher end beachside restaurant so the price do reflect that, however the food is worth it. The mussels in the ginger/curry broth were amazing, as were my Hawaiian ribs. The drink and dessert selections were equally as intriguing and I could be tempted to head back just to check a few more things off of that menu. West Coast Grill is a great place to go show off some good ole California assets to your out of town guests and leave them jealous of everything from the food to the amazing year round view!
(4)Elise A.
Had the most amazing experience last night at PCG!! Front desk hosts were super polite & welcoming. our table on the upper deck was right on the water. Breathtaking views! Mai tai & piña Rita were made to perfection. Had the fries as an appetizer. Boyfriend ordered the 18oz steak & I had the quesadilla. Both were mouthwatering. Ended our dinner with the dulce de leche creme bruleè. Absolutely delicious!! Server was very friendly & attentive. Definitely worth the 45+ min drive for us! Thanks for a wonderful evening pacific coast grill! :)
(5)Randall D.
Coconut crab crust mahi mahi!! Started with some drinks and cold appetizers. A favorite for over a decade. Always fresh food and exceptional service. Great place anytime. Excellent seared ahi is a must and a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio!!
(5)Jennifer G.
I used to go here at their old location and loved the food! The new location is gorgeous, food is great, but the service is terrible! They do not seem to care about customer service, because there is always a crowd and they don't really need your business. They don't take reservations either! I went here for my 20th anniversary and it was fine, but when I went here for my 50th birthday they treated my party of 12 like unwanted guests! Our waitress was extremely rude....I won't go into it, but when we complained, they didn't care, they didn't try to make it right. Worst management. It is a shame, because it could be amazing!
(3)Christine R.
Had a chance to visit both Pacific Coast Grill and Chart House for lunch this week. Both restaurants are located oceanfront and next to each other. Both restaurants offer spectacular views of the waves rolling in. For lunch though, I give the nod to Chart House. Our meals at Pacific Coast Grill were good but nothing really stood out. I had the Lobster BLT and while it was presented very nicely, it was lacking something and was just a little on the bland side. Needless to say, such a beautiful location comes at a premium and lunch for two was over $60 (1 appetizer and no alcohol). In addition, you must pay to park at the Pacific Coast Grill even for lunch. The service was excellent.
(3)Chris C.
Delightful brunch. Loved the selection on menu. Freshness, creative. Valet parking staff pleasant. Waitress friendly & attentive. Food cooked well & good presentation. We were hoping to sit at patio by the beach, but there was a large party going on. Our party of 4 got Macadamia crested crab cake egg Benedict, pan seared fish, steak & eggs, smoked salmon bagel platter. Everything was perfect. Great way to begin a relaxing Sunday.
(4)Edie P.
A friend recommended this place to me because of the fantastic views and great food and drinks! We were not disappointed! We went to Pacific coast grill on an abnormally warm San Diego evening! We sat on the upstairs patio and had an amazing view! The first hour (6:30 reservation) was brutal in the sun! That however is not pacific coast grill's fault! In fact they warned us that it was warm on the patio! Once the sun started to go down the patio was the perfect location! We were there on 4th of July so we also got a great view of fireworks after the stunning sunset!! The food was great! The appetizer mussels were good. My husband wasn't a big fan but I thought they were good! The rolls were excellent!! Thumbs up all around! Probably our favorite appetizer item!! Truffle fries were tasty! The lobster entree was fantastic!! And the bread pudding desert. Oh. My. Do yourself a favor and get this for sure. Even if u are stuffed! We sat on the patio for probably a good 3 hours and never felt rushed. By the end of the night we all agreed, this was a fantastic dinner spot to sit and relax and enjoy an amazing view!!
(5)V V.
First time tonight. Excellent meal, busy on a Tuesday, amazing ocean view.
(5)Laura Q.
Do not try to bring your group here. We tried to make a reservation for 18 to 20 people on the patio. Not at prime time, just a late afternoon lunch. My estimated cost based on their lunch menu was $30 per person. The restaurant required that we guarantee $75 per person in order to make a reservation! That's 250% markup. They have 5 tables of 4 already there, so it makes no sense to me from a business or a customer service viewpoint. Thanks, but no thanks, I have no desire to go to a restaurant that wants to rip off its customers like that. We'll skip this restaurant for large and small groups from now on.
(1)Montana C.
Everything about this place was superb. I had shrimp dumplings wich were something unlike anything iv eaten, a must try. Rosemary sourdough bread. Buttery yummy and amazing with a red wine sauce that was to die for. Fish and chips wich were among the best iv had. Light crispy batter and epic fries. A stellar Bloody Mary, nice and spicy. I highly recommend the things I had in this meal. My partner had the fish tacos and wasn't impressed though.
(5)Avner M.
Haley C was our server & she was AWESOME. If you had a Haley at every place you went to, you would never be disappointed. The entire staff at this place cares about the experience you have & they go above & beyond to ensure this. We asked to sit outside which was a little chilly on this day, but as soon as we were seated, Haley came over & offered us blankets to cover our legs since we were in short. She also had the staff come over & turn on the heater near our table, brought our baby a water dish & Grain Free treats which our dog LOVED & she is very finicky. On to us, Haley was very knowledgeable about the menu, how the food was prepared, the sauces used in the dishes & had some great recommendations. We started with the guacamole with crab & lobster on top. Not only was the guacamole really tasty, the crab & lobster on top was an added part we have never had before....AMAZING. I had the Almond Crusted Tomato with a Chicken Breast added. WOW, it was well prepared. My wife had the seabass with a sauce that was out of this world. If your mouth is not watering yet & you are not full, the desserts are out of this world. There are several to choose from & you will be in heaven. I am not going into detail here because you NEED to come try this place. The food is amazing, the prices are decent & the staff wants to ensure your experience is the best you will have in the area. Not only would I highly recommend this place, but when in the area, I would drive to come here again, that is how good this place it. Right on the beach, great food, great prices & a great staff.
(5)Tommy R.
THE BEST STEAK IVE EVER EATEN! Trust me... I have eaten a lot of steaks! That steak was so full of flavor I loved it! I know it's not a steak house... But it was delicious! My fiancé and I love the ambiance there.
(5)Christine A.
Food and ambience are outstanding. Have had business dinners here, and food and service were excellent. However, drinks and appetizers several times upstairs in the bar area and service is poor. There are always adequate wait staff, but service is a little slow and they just aren't attentive. Sushi is outstanding, but they don't come by regularly to check to see if you need anything. Also have to be reminded a few times to bring bread, water and drink refills. The wait staff gather around and chat...even when there are only a handful of customers. Service really needs improvement. Food is pricey, so service should be much better.
(3)Shauna M.
If I could give half stars, this would be a 3.5. This place definitely has a five star view, but the service I found to be quite lacking. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. We let them know when we made the reservation, and they gave us a seat right along the edge of the patio with an unobstructed ocean view. It was a beautiful setting, I just wish the wait staff made us feel a little bit more special. It took us forever to get our wine. We ordered a bottle, and our waiter returned promptly the bottle so we could taste it...then our waiter disappeared for a good 10 minutes. We were hungry and had yet to be given a chance to order at least an appetizer, and were left food and wineless. Once we finally got our wine things moved a little bit more smoothly. Although it was kind of awkward when the waiter brought us bread in between the appetizer and the main course. The bread might have been nice during our wine wait. Anyway, the food was great (once we got it), and they brought us a little mini dessert for our anniversary, which was very nice. All in all it was a nice evening with a beautiful view, but for the location and the price of our meal, I would have expected a little bit more. This place seems to be confused between casual and fancy. You have to valet your car, you have a world class view, the entrees are in the $30 range, yet the wait staff wears khakis and a polo and reminds me of service I get at a Chili's. So really, PCG, I like you, but I dont know if I understand you. I might be back, but if I am looking for a nice intimate romantic dinner date, I think I might have to look elsewhere.
(3)margaret m.
My girls and I took my husband here for his birthday. We reserved a table on the patio. Our table wasn't ready right away but our wait was only minutes. We were seated at a wonderful table over looking the beach. We ordered two starters. One hot and one cold. The hot starter was BBQ ribs and fries. My husband made short work of those so I guess they must have been pretty tasty. My daughters and I had the sunset tower. Oh my god that was great! My oldest daughter has a new favorite food. So I highly recommend that to anyone looking for a fresh tasting appetizer. We had cocktails with our meal. My daughter and I had a specialty drink off of the drink menus. I can't remember the name but it was a drink that tasted like sorbet. We had the serf and turf for dinner and that was lovely. Our server, I wish I could remember her name, but I know she was from Whittier, was supper! After all of our partying and eating our bill was less then we anticipated. We plan to return soon. It's my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Fitness J.
Amazing views .. great service -- our waiter was attentive, knew when not to interrupt and always with a smile. The views were incredible. We sat upstairs on the patio and the view of the sunset was great. We had some the sushi as appetizers and they were good .. then the goat / beet salad (nice), the lobster chowder (yummy especially with the bacon). The drinks were just ok -- I had a margarita with serrano chile which was not spicy-- kind of bland. Then I did their old derby -- again just ok. Only reason I take it to 4 stars. Also tasted the cucumber margarita and it was fine - just nothing to get excited about.
(4)Jason E.
Fantastic food. Amazing view. Best server I've ever had. Ask for Señor Stout. He made our event special. He truly has a gift for hosting. $4 valet. Great place to take a date.
(5)Jade R.
You can't beat this restaurants location. Right smack on the beach. We saw a pod of dolphins while we were enjoying drinks. Talk about atmosphere! We ordered the calamari, ahi tuna wonton tacos, and the red wine dumplings. The calamari was one of the worst I've ever had- over breaded, overlooked, and paired with a smoky chipotle "aioli" type sauce. Calamari really needs an acidic, tangy sauce pairing to keep the flavors light and cohesive. The calamari missed the mark, but the red wine dumplings was one of the best things I've ever eaten! It's a must try. The service was quick, cocktails are fresh and well made. We had a great time! I'd love to come back for dinner
(4)Sherri K.
Talk about a romantic beachside eatery. The bar on the upper level provided the best sunset view I have ever had with my husband and reminded me of time we spent in Hawaii. the bartender was friendly and poured perfect martini's every time. The entire staff, from valet, to hosts, to waitstaff was friendly and natural. Every one was cool and made the experience better than expected. Not over solicitous, just good. The food was GREAT! We had the paella which was cooked perfectly, and I had the sashimi ahi salad which was also as fresh and perfect as possible. When the sun set and it got chilly, the warmers came on and the deck stayed just as inviting and coastal as when the sun warmed the deck earlier that evening. It was a perfect experience.
(5)Alyssa Marie P.
Best Margaritas in San Diego! And they have quite the selection :) I like to come here with peeps post beach on the weekends. Can't beat the view. Remember to bring your sunnies. Only Downside: There's no happy hour.
(4)Danielle G.
Great view of the sea, with $4 parking you can't beat it. The food was very good, I had the mahi fish tacos, my daughter had the kids burger and fries and my other chica had the shrimp dumplings. Staff was friendly and accommodating. My little one didn't fancy the dumplings so they took it off my bill; nice!!!! The Thai vodka martini was also a fun afternoon cocktail. The outside patio also allows dogs.
(5)Jaclyn B.
Went here with my sister last night for dinner. We ordered the raw oysters which were great. We then had the mussels in a Thai coconut curry sauce.....fabulous! Caesar salad was good. Also ordered the halibut on the menu. The combination of fish, potato and vegetable was phenominal. If I lived here is SoCal, I would come to this restaurant at least once a week. Our server Lori was very friendly and knowledgable about food/wine.
(5)Jenelyn A.
Pricey but they have great selections usually when i go to places like this i always get the calamari.. I am a fanatic i dont really remember the main dish.
(5)Michelle F.
First off, I appreciate that they have a special vegetarian menu as well as a gluten-free menu. How many seaside/view restaurants can say that? Not many, that's for sure. , Waitress started to list the specials. I interjected to say that we are vegetarians, so no need to list them if not veggie. She said" "That hat may work out great because we have a wonderful red snapper on the menu ..." I replied, "Actually, fish is not a vegetable." Honestly, I do not like to get confrontational about the veggie thing, I just want to have an understanding of sorts. Anyway, BIG points for PCG having a separate veggie/gf menu (ask the hostess for it upon seating). Downside: The food is fairly pedestrian. Upside: incredible view and setting right on the beach. This place is on the "ocean side" of PCH. It simply does not get much better in SoCal. Wild card: the parking valets. They totally readjusted the driver's seat settings AND changed the radio settings. Not cool. I guess dinner on the beach has its price.
(3)Sara B.
I had my Birthday dinner here last Saturday evening. I had to wait until 8:30 to have it or else I would be in "prime time" and would charge me $100 a person since I had a party of 14. so I decided to wait until 8:30 To avoid the fee. I had never been here before this event. It was ok. I wasn't wowed at all. The location is what you are paying for and the view. The service was good. I ordered the sea bass and it was very bland. I also tried the Lobste Tacos and I wasn't too wowed by those either. The best were the Oysters and the Surf and Turf. Whatever Cake they gave me at the end for my Birthday treat was the best out of everything. I may go back again, but it definitely was not my favorite and not worth all the hype in my opinion.
(3)Bradley B.
Dan and Karin (lunch and dinner) were fantastic servers. The food was some of the best I've had at the beach, which was a welcome change from other ocean-view eateries who seem to make up for their great views with marginal and expensive food. PCG had both. We liked it so much for lunch that we came back for dinner, and we kept our car parked at the valet the whole time so it worked out perfectly. Lastly, the Sesame-Crusted Seared Ahi with coconut forbidden rice, beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter sauce was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Great experience! Only negative was the uncomfortable outdoor seats.
(5)Jason R.
Before I start, let me qualify my 3-star review: I'm not going to be one of those reviewers who says things like, "Oh my Gawd, like, I totally had to wait 4 whole minutes for a drink." Do people like that really exist!? ... You're right, I forgot about that city 80 miles north of here. What's it called? Eh, who cares. I have pretty reasonable expectations, but when you're paying $120+ on dinner/drinks for two, those expectations are obviously raised a little bit. There are two really great reasons to come to PCG: #1: The views are absolutely fantastic - definitely as good as advertised, and probably even better. #2: Did I mention the views? Everything else about the experience (service: good; food: average) kind of blends into the background. I really only had two legitimate complaints: First, I made a reservation 2-3 weeks in advance for my wife's B-Day. In the reservation, I simply asked for a patio table. On the day of the reservation, I called several hours before to confirm, and again requested a patio table. When I arrived, I was seated in the dining room, and when I asked about patio seating, I was told that I could choose to wait 45 minutes to an hour. Let me say this: I get it - they can't 'guarantee' me a certain table. That makes total sense. But here's the thing... I was staring at 2-3 open tables on the patio (it was a week-night and not filled to capacity). I went back to the hostess stand, asked if the tables were reserved, and was told they can't guarantee me a patio seat... which they already told me, and repeated without answering my question. I went back to my seat, asked our waitress if the patio seats were reserved, she went and checked with the hostess stand (and maybe her manager), came back and said, "Would you prefer a patio seat, because those are open if you'd like to sit there." It was just a small mis-communication on their part, but it took about 15 minutes to get seated outside from the time we were seated inside, and it set the tone for the rest of the experience. Secondly, my wife ordered the Hawaiian-Style Baby Back Ribs and found a hair in her food. The manager (who was very nice and accommodating) took a closer look and said he thought it was from corn in the kitchen. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but again, not the end of the world. If you're looking for one of the best dinner views in North County, I'd definitely recommend PCG on that alone. If sweeping views of the ocean aren't your thing (however that's possible), then you'd be much better taking your money somewhere else. All in all, a 3-star experience - not great, not terrible, and not bad enough that we'd never consider going back.
(3)Kris R.
Food good, hostess not so much. I enjoyed my vegetarian plate of sautéed vegetables with forbidden black coconut rice, such an amazing flavor. I am peeved about a fib the hostess told us. I was in a party of four, we asked to be seated at a table outside, we saw two open. The hostess said they were going to be joining the tables for a larger party coming later, she's sorry. 10 minutes later, while we're sitting inside we see a party of four sat at the outside table we requested and a couple sat at the other table- what gives. Tell us they are reserved is one thing and understandable, why another party of four was sat there and we werent, I don't get it and it bothered me. So much I probably won't bring my out of town guests here, nor pay 18.00 something for vegetables again.
(3)Isie Bee Z.
The food is well prepared, a bit salty today. We've been here 3x , the first 2 visits were great. Today was disappointing. Felt rushed. Ordered appetizer and drinks. Drinks came and ordered lunch after The 4th top by waitress in 5 minutes. She took entree order said appetizer was on its way. A few minutes later our entrees arrive. So we canceled the appetizer...the timing seemed odd. The staff is nice. Just left us annoyed, it's not that hard to serve things right.
(3)Leo D.
Starting at the arrival the valet was nice and helpful, the hostess Whitney was extremely helpful walked us around to show us the different tables, took us outside made sure the heater got turned on and brought us a blanket. The food was awesome, and the service is great, can't beat the view. Everything we had was mouth watering, and the drinks were made perfectly, I will be back, and recommend everyone to try
(5)Patti D.
The stars are for the server and the view. I hate when a restaurant rests on its laurels. My family went to PCG for the first time in December for dinner and it was amazing. The hostesses were not friendly and had a really crappy attitude which didn't really matter too much to us. There is mandatory valet but it's only 4 dollars and they are super fast and really nice. The service was wonderful and the food was amazing. The sea bass and the filet mignon were perfectly cooked. The sea bass was on a bed of mashed potatoes which was unnecessary and took away from the perfect fish. PCG is expensive but I don't blame them because you are paying for the location as well as the food. I've been back a few times for lunch and it's ok but food is very inconsistent. My mom is visiting from The east coast and I wanted nice location so I picked PCG. We went back for "brunch" on Sunday and it was a disaster. Brunch is supposedly until 4pm but you can't get half of the menu after 2pm?! The hostesses are still full of attitude.. No smiles or welcome shown... again don't care about that too much. We ordered calamari and it was sliced super thick which we hate but the tentacles were good. My 13 yr old daughter bit into one and pulled out a plastic bag from her mouth. The server was very nice and said the calamari was free. BIG DEAL!! After seeing her pull that filthy trash bag out of her mouth and then seeing all the bones my mother and son were pulling out of their mouths from the sea bass "filet", I could not eat anything! We were all very grossed out and sick to our stomachs. Oh well, location, people watching on the beach, and lack of local restaurants with this view will keep people coming to PCG I'm sure. It's a shame about the inconsistency. I won't be back and it's sad.
(1)Sheri F.
Since opening in the mid-90's PCG has been my favorite restaurant. It's where I went for special occasions and where I brought visitors from out of town for great food, service and ambience. When they moved they added amazing ocean views to their list of perks. Suffice it to say, I'm over it. Last month friends from east county were coming out for drinks and apps and I wanted to share my favorite place by the beach with them. We headed upstairs to sit on the upper deck but were told we had to sit inside unless we were having dinner. It was 4:30pm on a Tuesday. Dinner? Really? There were two people seated outside who must have lied and said they were having dinner, but being honest I admitted that we were having drinks and apps and weren't sure about dinner. The hostess checked with the manager who also said no, there was a big party coming and we had to sit inside. I'll admit the food was delicious as always, but when we left at 6:30 after three rounds of drinks, lots of food and a nice fat bill there were no signs of any party on the deck. The people who were there when we arrived were still there sipping drinks. Sorry PCG, sitting inside looking at a mirror that offers a view of the bar and small angled glimpses of the ocean while an entire gorgeous deck full of tables sits unused is not my idea of a great time. I doubt I'll be back. The dinner we ended up having on the patio at Flat Rock was more enjoyable. I even had a better ocean view.
(2)Dana P.
Wow!!! Amazing sunset, great wine, yummy food and excellent service ;) Pacific Coast Grill is located on the edge of the sand in Cardiff. Perfect location, easy access and valet parking (which is nice when you are driving an SUV).
(5)Madhuri K.
14 of us had lunch there last weekend. The service could have been more attentive given the size of our party and the pricey place. we ordered a ton of food - my kids had the ribs (they were good - but not a traditional bbq sauce) my husband thought the fries were the best he had ever had. we had the raw tuna salad (best thing I had) the chowder and I had the surf.turf benedict. I thought the seafood was better than the meats. The desserts - the salted caramel creme brulee was AMAZING. my daughter loved their dark chocolate dessert so much she begged me to find the recipe. Unrelated to the food - the view is spectacular. The valet parkers drive recklessly - so hold onto your children.
(4)Sherpa M.
Great appetizers, fun staff, great view! Great spot for special occasions and cocktails! I've been a fan for years!
(5)Shari P.
Madison was an excellent server.. I had the sea food pasta.. Amazing!
(5)Lewis C.
Amazing views by the water and their seafood dishes are delicious. It is rare to find a place that has both. This is the place I recommend to those visiting north county and what a nice dinner out by the water.
(4)Chris C.
Service and valet parking no problem, good service but the food it's your own risk... (c.f. my picture for more detail)
(2)Darryl B.
The first thing that impresses you about this restaurant is the stunning view it has. sits right on the beach . Awesome place to have a great meal and watch the sun set. The food was amazing. Prefect steak and Lobster. Calimari is a must. The customer service from the time you valet your car, until the time you leave was empeccable. IF you want to take someone for dinner and empress them or celebrate a special occasion, this is the perfect restaurant to do so. looking forward to next visit.
(5)E K.
We came to this restaurant for a business meeting. They have a nice small private room upstairs with a built in TV to display presentations. Overall, this restaurants provides great food and service. The prices are steep but the views and food quality compensate for it. Our waiters were prompt and friendly and respected food allergies/preferences. They were good about refilling our drinks and waters. They have a nice variety of food options. The restaurant is literally on the beach with unobstructed views of the ocean. It has 2-stories with amazing balcony views upstairs. The decor is modern and clean. A great place for a romantic dinner, get together with friends/family, or happy hour. Must tries: shrimp dumplings, hot rock (they give you fresh ahi and filet to grill on your own "hot stone" at the table!!), lobster and crab guacamole, kung pao with steak and chile-rubbed filet. Because it's on the beach, parking blows. They have valet for $4 or if you are willing to walk, you can find street parking (if you're lucky) about 50-100 yards away.
(4)BGrace G.
Reserve ahead and ask for an outside seat if it's not too hot, wonderful terrace overlooking the beach and ocean. You're not guaranteed a seat there but you might score one. If you go early enough before the adjacent beach parking closes, park and pay there, because the valet wait can be long, they are always busy here. Or if your shoes will bear it, park on the street north of the restaurant and walk over. I love the food, great service and you can't beat the ambience and views.
(5)Kayla K.
My boyfriend and I decided to have a date night and agreed on going to Pcg. I wouldn't hesitate on going back. We got a 30 min wait time for a table on a Friday night but really our wait was 5 mins. Sat us at, in my opinion, the best table outside. (131) Our server Chris D gave us great service and recommendations. He was very knowledgable and genuine. The experience was exactly what we were looking for. We had the shrimp dumplings they were delicious try dipping the bread in the sauce. The chowder was amazing. My man got the carbonara pasta it had great flavor the dish is a generous size. We had a bottle of the twenty rows Cabernet very dry, from Napa Valley we loved it. And ended it with a banana tempura dessert on the house. Thank you for a great experience
(5)Lindsay G.
We had been here once before on our last visit and only had drinks at the upstairs bar, so we made it a priority to come back for dinner on our next visit to San Diego. We really enjoyed server Chrissy on our first visit so I made sure to request her and they accommodated that even though we requested an outside table that was not in her section. Very nice. Oysters and the Chalk Hill Sauv Blanc were perfect and the bottle was reasonably priced. I ordered the Halibut which would have been great but had either been sitting out it was over cooked as the fish was dry. I didn't speak up and send it back so that was my fault....husband throughly enjoyed the seafood pasta, it was really good and I was a bit jealous! We didn't have dessert but we will be back!
(4)Nory B.
PCG is such a great place--right on the Cardiff beach and 101. Beautiful ocean views no matter where you sit. Service is extremely friendly and crisp, from the valet greeting you as you drive up all the way to the bussers for the tables. My server, Kari, was very friendly and knowledgeable about their entire menu,, which is fairly large for a lunch menu. Kari was very prompt in her service--my drink was out within just a few minutes of my arrival, and she checked on me several times during my meal. I had the lobster-crab guacamole; probably one of the yummiest appetizers ever! Very generous portion of seafood over delicious guacamole! I also had the seared ahi salad, with roasted red pepper, olives, feta, and charred romaine. I added avocado, and it was a really tasty salad! I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Jeremy S.
The pacific coast grill is a great spot to grab some appetizers or a full blown dinner. Since the remodel, this place has been one of my go-to spots and there's a reason why... The ambiance is legit and the views of the ocean are uncanny. The food here is par for the course, I have had several menu items, but I would say the surf n turf roll and dungess crab are legit as far as appetizers are concerned. For the entree, the lobster tacos and lobster chowder is awesome. Try and sit on the dog friendly outdoor patio for outstanding views of the water. Forget to mention that the device both for the food and valet are both awesome. Pros- Service Valet price- $4 Ambiance Views Menu Dog friendly patio Cons- Pricey Drinks lack a bit alcohol Crowded
(4)Lain L.
I went back for more with a larger group this time, and they were very accommodating. We didn't get the top floor outside seating like we wanted but we understood cause we called for last minute reservations. All the food was spot on like always!Someone in our group didn't like one of the side and they were also nice about switching it out for something else! Whats even better was that they gave us an extra dessert because there was 3 birthdays we were celebrating! We ordered a dessert and they put 2 candles on that and gave us an extra different dessert with another candle! It was awesome! I just love this place and their customer service!
(5)Elise H.
Upscale Coastal Dinning done right! PCG has location on lockdown! Right on the water, with windows to show off that view, and outdoor seating that is sadly absent at some of their neighbors. $4 valet or park a little way down the road and walk. Get a reservation. We came in on a Monday and luckily, got a table without one, but it was risky and the place was packed, so just plan on needing one. The menu is awesome! So many options - between hot and cold appetizers, salad and soups, on shore and off shore entrees. And not the same old dishes you see every other place; unique flavor combinations & interesting ingredients. It was hard to pick just one. So we didn't!! I was there for a celebratory date with my husband and we decided to just share a bunch of appetizers. - Cardiff Reef Roll. Suuuuper good! Spicy from the tuna and tempura jalapeños with a yummy ginger-ponzu sauce. - Caesar Salad. Nothing too special, I'd probably skip it next time. - Crab Cakes. My favorite of the night!! Great flavor, topped with scallops (hello amazing!), roasted corn, crispy potatoes and a jalapeño-hollandaise. I'm still thinking about these tiny (sadly bc I wish they were big crab cakes) morsels of goodness! - Bag o Bonz. Ribs and fries. Ribs were Hawaiian style and very good. Tender and full of flavor. Fries were crispy but the ketchup wasn't my favorite (honey flavor was too strong). - Hot Rock. Raw tuna or filet (we got filet) served with a pipping hot rock that you use to cook your meat. Love the concept, didn't love the execution. The filet, while tender, was cut too thick to make it easy to sear while our rock was still hot. Another one I'd skip next time. - Dulce de leche creme brûlée - This dessert!! Creamy and sweet and amazing!! So, so delicious. Service was pretty good, a little slow at times, but our server was nice and friendly and maybe just giving us a leisurely meal. Wish the portion size of the apps was a little bigger (mostly just the crab cakes, if I'm being honest!). Lighting was low in the place so please excuse these lack luster pics.
(4)Taufiq H.
this is a great place for a company dinner. Got to sit right on the beach outside. The menu is set with a few choices wonderful food. Appetizers beoight to your table Worth with an occasional visit
(4)Francine T.
Last evening we had a horrible and frustrating experience for my group at Pacific Coast Grill. Though a spectacular, ocean front location, everything else was abysmal. Non-existent service, a 55 minute wait for dinner entrees of which 3 were served room temperature and sent back and returned nuked 20 minutes later and a noise level that was oppressive made for an embarrassing evening as the restaurant was my recommendation. We requested to see the manager twice and each time she came to the table to attempt to salvage the evening which by then was too late.
(1)Vannica K.
Gentlemen please take your Lady out here, you will find it very pleasing. How can you say no to the gorgeous view of Solona Beach. Be sure to come here and not miss the sunset! Came here for my 3 year anniversary and they provided a complimentary dessert ! I recommend the "Bag ol Bones" for appetizers it comes with truffle fries . (The best baby ribs ever)
(5)Adron B.
Very awesome mix of french and sushi. Only been there once but I will be back. The ahi is excellent.
(5)Devin A.
Despite the miles and miles of gorgeous coastline along North County, there are surprisingly few restaurants actually on the beachfront. Pacific Coast Grill is one of them and in my opinion - what the coast lacks in quantity of restaurants, it makes up for in quality, at least with this one. Pacific Coast is a great dining choice that offers a diverse variety of flavors served up with a spectacular view. I had lunch at PCG recently with a friend of mine, a self-proclaimed foodie from Toronto who has designed multiple high end restaurants/resorts/hotels all over the world and has acted as a restaurant consultant, helping train chefs and revamp menus. Needless to say, she has a very refined palate. First off, PCG has a rather extensive wine and cocktail menu, but their draft beer list is short- but that's ok, because they do feature local favorites from Ballast Point (Sculpin) and Saint Archer (IPA). They offered tasters, which was appreciated. Tip: Go with the Sculpin. When you are done, have another one. They have a nice assortment of both hot and cold appetizers. On the hot side, we went with the West Coast Black Mussels. Served in a bowl with a savory thai coconut curry sauce and topped with two pieces of grilled ciabatta, the mussels were very nicely cooked. If there was any complaint, it was that the sauce itself was a bit on the runny side. A thicker sauce would have been a nicer compliment to the mussels and bread. A touch of saffron would have been sublime. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to order it again. For the cold appetizer, we went with the Yellowtail Tartare Stack - a beautiful square packed with nice chunks of tuna and copious amounts of avocado, topped with cubed mango and served with chips. While I had high expectations for this dish, I felt that it fell a little flat, lacking any sort of punch. The flavors of the fish and avocado blended well, but were muted by the sesame oil (?). It could have used something to brighten it up - a peppering of diced jalapenos perhaps? I was also not a huge fan of the chips, which reminded me of the processed Muncho chips I used to eat in elementary school. Don't get me wrong, we ate every bite - I'm not one to let some nice yellowtail go to waste - but I probably wouldn't order it again. For the entree, we both opted for the special of the day - grilled fish tacos. I know they have fish tacos on their regular lunch menu, but these were prepared differently: a perfectly grilled piece of mahi mahi served with a very light slaw and sauce, topped with pineapple on a toasted flour tortilla. Two tacos to a plate and served with a side of rice and beans, this was a very flavorful dish. Our only complaint was that the sauce caused the tortillas to turn to mush and they fell apart as we tried to eat them. My friend thought that perhaps corn tortillas would have held up better, but I thought the more pronounced flavor of a corn tortilla would have overshadowed the very light and delicious flavors of the fish and slaw. The rice and beans were just okay. Overall, I enjoyed the dish, even if I had to use a fork to finish it. We skipped dessert, but finished the meal with a nice coffee. The staff was very friendly, accommodating and efficient. The view, even on a somewhat overcast day, was wonderful. 3-1/2 stars for the food, with an extra 1/2 for the view. Tip: The parking lot is very small, so you are going to have to valet it - but it's only $4. Bring some cash with you. My friend and I were both very happy with lunch. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Pacific Coast Grill. Good food, great service, and a phenomenal view!
(4)Rebecca W.
Both my husband and I have birthday's within 2 weeks of each other so my in-laws told us to pick a nice place for dinner. I have been to PCG one other time for a work function and immediately thought of this place because I've been wanting to go back. I booked through open table for 6PM. We got sat right next to a window with a killer view of the ocean. It was perfect! Our waitress was super friendly and greeted us right away. We all ordered drinks from the bar and they came out within minutes, which was great. We ordered the Bag o Bonz and lobster soup to start out with, both fantastic! The Bag O Bonz were these apple-wood Hawaiian style baby back ribs and they were so good. I normally don't particularly like ordering ribs because of how messy they are but these were worth the mess. They also brought us out wet towels with lemon to clean our hands after so it wasn't even a big deal. For dinner I ordered the Braised Short Rib with scalloped potatoes...to die for! It was a great piece of meat, I couldn't even finish it but I'm super excited to have this as left overs. You actually get what you pay for here. All the food and service was amazing! The only thing I'm not a fan of is valet parking, but that is a personal preference. I like having the option of parking my own car but you can not do that here. It's cash only for valet so be prepared for that.
(5)William V.
Service with a smirk. We were served over an hour later than other tables. Order was probably lost or Something. We only got served when we threatened to leave. So disappoInting. Table of 4. No excuse They never admitted the order was lost. The water didn't follow up when we asked about the order. Lack of honesty is why this is the first negative review I have ever given on yelp. Curious why no reply
(1)Mary X.
Came here on Sunday with my boyfriend for brunch. We sat upstairs on the balcony which had a nice view. Our server was very attentive and friendly! I was going to order the lobster Benedict but she recommended the croissant with lobster and prosciutto. Can't remember the name :( but it was sooo good! My boyfriend ordered the loco moco and that was really good too! Will definitely be back for lunch or dinner and prob watch the sunset I definitely want to try the lobster tacos that everyone raves about!
(5)Esther C.
Their one item on their menu got me hooked-- shrimp and lobster chowder. I never ever liked anything creamy, so I've disliked every creamy or clam chowder type of soup all my life. For some magical reason (I'm a drama queen) I was enchanted to order their lobster and shrimp chowder as their appetizer and it is soooooooooooooo good. The flavors and the perfectly cooked, soft meat was wonderful and doing great things in my mouth. Yeah sure, their wine choice was great, the atmosphere, the view, but the shrimp and lobster chowder is sumtin else. :) Our waitress was beyond amazing. We had a 10-person group that day and she handled all our orders, food, and needs with professional, kind, and attentive care.
(5)Andrew F.
"Eel! Methinks not." Pretty much sums it up. Today (7/12/15) we had again another terrible experience with the front of house for Pacific Coast Grill. I will never understand why a host/hostess (in this case hostess) are so unsupervised they are allowed to treat patrons with an utter lack of what I would consider basic courtesy. So, why: "Eek! Methinks not."? Simple. When I go to a 4 or 5 star restaurant anywhere... (SF, NYC, Chicago, etc) the collective experience is great or at least "nice". Basically, a customer willing to spend $70-100 a person should get their money's worth. Somehow, Pacific Coast Grill always gets the easiest part wrong. Sit a customer at a table, politely. The ONLY thing a hostess has to do is: 1. Take a reservation/table request, 2. Honor it. Do those two things and at least pretend like you care about the people that are paying for the experience. If this weren't the 4th time this has happened to me at Pacific Coast Grill, I'd like to think I would be more forgiving. But it is. Four times? Four times... out of 10 visits the hostess of all things have ruined the experience. I don't understand why this place continues to let the high school social club run front of house? This is one of those scenarios where a maître d' would make a world of difference. The food and view are pretty good, but I have officially given up. I just can't bring myself to spend $140+ on a meal when I genuinely feel like the first person I talk to is not only disinterested in my business, but resents it. As a result, I certainly wouldn't recommend Pacific Coast Grill to someone looking for a nice night out. It's just not worth it.
(1)rika a.
Great place good food we were sitting outside it felt like we're eating at the sand The price was reasonable highly recommend
(5)Tim T.
Even through it is Mother's Day they did not rush us. A busy day and it didn't affect the service or the quality of the food. We had the Hawaiian baby back ribs, Sea Bass and the Seafood Pasta. The food came out of the kitchen promptly, hot and well prepared. Great flavors and nicely seasoned, certainly not average food. The dark chocolate custard was amazing, don't miss it Location has great ocean views and some outside seating. Pricy but worth a visit for special occasions.
(4)Ester C.
Beautiful place, great service, great food! They have options for vegetarians and vegans, just ask for the vegetarian menu. My favorite is the vegetarian pasta!
(5)Kathy L.
The patio with the view already had my heart. The food, delicious. Pricey and upscale, but the ambiance, food selection, quality and caliber of presentation and portion size constituted it all. Highly recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, and seafood Cobb salad. Kids in your party? The $16 fish and chip was delicious and portion size could feed an adult - easily can be split among two kids. Great for a business meeting, date, girls day/night out, or birthday to celebrate among a small group. Many older guests among the crowd this early afternoon (Tuesday).
(5)Bill T.
Came here for a business dinner. Everything was delicious and the service was great, even with a large party of about 18! They had a nice selection of local beers to start. Cali beer tends to be very hoppy but I had some Green Flash that was fairly smooth. We had some calamari for the appetizer and that was good. For my entree, I selected the Lobster Tacos, which were very tasty. Havig eaten a lot of lobster in New England, I thought that this might be a risk, but I wasn't disappointed. Portions of lobster were generous and the meat was tender, not chewy. Even though we were full, we ordered several desserts and they were all terrific. The chocolate custard was my favorite, served with a side of ice cream (I think it was coffee flavored). I'd like to freeze dry that stuff and vape it! The view is nice too! We went for a later dinner so the sun was down but you could still see the waves crashing on the beach. I'm sure at sunset it's real romantical-like, so you can take your sweetheart there and share a special moment. Very cool place that felt very California to me.
(4)Kevin L.
Took my wife here for our 19 year anniversary. The service was outstanding, the view was phenomenal, and the food was delicious. It started with calamari and lobster bisque. I had the seafood pasta and my wife had the coconut fish.
(5)Vicki N.
My favorite restaurant in San Diego. Sunday brunch is amazing - Lobster Huevos rancheros, Filet Mignon egg burrito, yummy brioche french toast - all very reasonably priced and the ambiance and service is exceptional. From the valet to the manager and everyone else - you feel welcomed the second you arrive. Dinner has never disappointed either. Even though it's not a dedicated sushi restaurant their rolls are some of the best ever - delicious. Entrees are fantastic and again the view either patio, could not be any better. Love everything about this place!
(5)Lisa R.
my husband and i were so bummed when the Beach House in Cardiff by the sea closed. there are very few restaurants in SD county with such a great view of the Ocean. I drove by today and noticed that the Pacific Coast Grill was open and decided to check it out. not only does it have the same view, it has an amazing menu and decent wine selection! i just stopped in for a snack so just had the sashimi wonton tacos but they were delicious! i will definitely be back for dinner with my husband!
(4)Nay P.
came here on a Friday night (granted) 8:30 reservation. sat outside on the second level next to the ocean. The atmosphere: I felt like I was at a diner. SO loud. Do not go on a dinner date here. Its a family restaurant, despite the amazing menu and view its not worth it if you're looking for a nice evening dinner. You can hear everyone's conversations, the food was great though.
(3)Staniel D.
I was looking for a restaurant where we could enjoy a great meal and watch the sun set over the ocean and the Pacific Coast Grill met and exceeded expectations. I enjoyed a Cardiff Reef Roll as an appetizer and a porcini/scallops preparation as an entree. Both dishes exhibited a balance of flavoring and seasoning that enhanced the proteins without overwhelming them. The desserts were house made and also quite good. I had their chocolate custard preparation which was served with mocha ice cream and a black cherry drizzle. Both the desserts and the appetizers were large and could easily be shared The space itself is quite lovely featuring clean mid-century lines, natural stone floor and spacious windows. The prices were quite reasonable for a restaurant of this calibre.
(5)Rich M.
The view is nice. After that all downhill. The hostess was surly. The waitress was phony. And now we get to the worst part...... The food. We had shrimp/lobster bisque.... No shrimp or lobster but a lot of potatoes. And did I mention there was NO taste to the soup. Then we tried the shrimp app. No taste and covered in a tasteless purple sauce. We left after that. No need to throw good money after bad. We left never to return. DO NOT GO!
(1)valerie m.
Love this place but not their prices. Such a great place to have lunch on the patio outside overlooking the ocean on a warm day. We were warm welcomed by Tamarra and sat on the patio. A couple skinny margs, a great pear, beet salad with candied walnuts and goat cheese and let me say the Hamachi tartare stack is fabulous. The Hamachi is fresh, a tad oily but paired with avocado and mango was perfect and light. We also had the crab and lobster quacamole which comes covered in crab and lobster with chips. Really fresh but can put you over the top. You can also ask for crackers and forgo the chips. The service was good, we got everything we needed when we needed it. So, all in all it was a successful lunch.
(4)Alexa D.
Chris was our server tonight and he was fabulous!!!!!! Our drinks were amazing, and our dinner was out quickly and the presentation was outstanding! It was our first time at PCG and we were celebrating our anniversary and Chris made us feel welcome and important. 5 stars for him!
(5)Valerie W.
Awesome! This place has the whole package: amazing food, friendly staff (front desk, waitress, valet), beautiful location with breath taking view! We highly recommend this place to seafood lovers (although the steak was bomb too)!
(5)Yesenia D.
We came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We got to sit on the outdoor patio. Beautiful view! We ordered the cowboy steak which was way too salty. For dessert we got the tempura banana split which was really good! The prices are on the pricey side and parking is really small, but valet parking is only $4. Overall the food was ok but amazing view.
(4)Cindy T.
During a weekend in Carlsbad, we were referred to Pacific Coast Grill for a nice meal, seaside. PCG is located right on the beach and has a really nice view of the water. I see a lot of people who come to enjoy the sunsets but we were not able to get there that early. I thought I would be disappointed by not being to see the ocean but I was wrong. PCG has huge flood lights that light up the ocean waves rolling up to the shore. The deck is very comfortable, even on a cool evening with the heaters on. The inside has very nice decor and even if you can't score a table outside, there are large viewing windows inside. Now I just wish I could say I am as big a fan of the food as I am of the views. Now I am going to try to give it a pass because the service was really good and everyone around me, including my husband, enjoyed their meals. I had a lobster tail with seasonal vegetables and a potato cake. The lobster was very generic, nothing to write home about. Veggies were ok and the potato/leek cake was yummy. I think I would opt to try something a little more creative the next time, however. It was just ok. I would try PCG again the next time I am in town for if nothing else, the spectacular spot it sits on.
(3)Elle J.
"I was looking for a view and then I found a view. Heaven knows I'm happy now!" -if The Smiths had in fact been looking for a view and checked out PCG. Thanks Yelpers for letting me know about this place. I had a visitor working with me and I needed to find a nice lunch spot in a hurry. He really wanted a water view, as most out of town folks do. My mind was a blank, but yelp saved me. Parking here is only valet. I felt so ashamed to hand over my dirty car. Sorry guys! The view is to die for. If you come during lunch bring your shades and either eat outside or right by the window. It really helped what could be a somewhat awkward lunch turn into a fun time. There were a ton of things to comment about from the view to the doggie playing in the waves. Service was good but a bit slow. I was super duper hungry! I got the ahi slider and fries. It was pretty good. Truffle fries were a bit overwhelming but the fish was cooked well. We shared the guacamole and it needed lemon to zing it up. Otherwise the portion was huge and it tasted fresh. My guest enjoyed his meal and I was able to give him a little taste of our area without missing a beat work wise. Oh, get there a little early for lunch. Even on we'd it became packed!
(4)Jenna T.
AMAZING! Food was fantastic and location was beautiful. Right on the beach in Encinitas. Went here for a business meeting, ordered the calamari and truffle fries. Service was prompt and friendly. Valet was a huge plus. Will definitely be back in the future!
(5)Micah C.
I had this place book marked for a while so made reservation for Sunday brunch. (Late) 2:30pm....Everything was smooth sailing. Had a Baja Margarita-chopped cilantro which was unique with the spice of the jalapeño or whatever was in the tequila? Great view. I had the surf and turf burger. Great burger. "I mean common it's got lobster and bacon on the surf and turf you joking?" Bomb... Only star being subtracted is for the small menu options on Sunday brunch after 2. Your options are much more limited food wise. Return visit....I'd like to try the oysters and maybe one of their appetizer rolls.
(4)Hann A.
eat here. view awesome.
(5)David E.
Before you read this review, please know that I do work there, but I will do my best to not be too biased. PCG is located right on the water with an amazing view of the ocean and beautiful sunsets every night. It is across the street from the famous dive bar The Kraken and next to the now defunct Beach House. The owners of Pacific Coast Grill actually purchased that location so in about a year there will be another awesome restaurant/bar beachfront. Try the Calamari and Shrimp Dumplings, enjoy some awesome sushi rolls. Pan seared Sea Bass and Seared Ahi are off the hook, literally. The margaritas have house-made fresh sweet and sour with many different flavors to choose from. Cucumber Jalapeno, Cilantro Serrano Peppers, Blackberry and more. The Pipes Pineapple martini is definitely one to try, guaranteed you will have another and the wine selection is fantastic. Under $100 Pinot Noir, try Flowers. Desserts you need to try are the Banana Split and Chocolate Custard. Definitely a great place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or any other special event like a wedding party. PCG can rent out the upstairs, private dining room for up to 12, or the entire restaurant. One thing to know is there is NO Happy Hour, but the well margarita called the Gold Margarita is only around $8 and worth it so there are ways to make you happy anyway if that is what you're looking for. Outside is for full dining, but bar area and a few surrounding tables are open seating perfect for a quick bite or even dinner at the bar.
(5)Chad C.
Fantastic business lunch with incredible views of the ocean !!! Our group had a private room on the upper level of the restaurant which had a gigantic window where you could literally see surfers taking off from the large waves today. We were brought a sampling of all of their appetizers to share family style. For the main course I ordered the ahi which was cooked to perfection lightly searing each side adding sesame seeds with wasabi crusting. This was served on a bed of coconut forbidden rice, beech mushrooms & ginger-ponzu butter sauce. For desert their was an assortment of all their favorites which were also shared family style. The food was awesome but the location, view, and decor make it an incredible beach front dinning experience. I will be back for sunset dinner for sure !!!
(5)Kevin T.
Had a last minute mid-week date night here... The drive along the ocean was gorgeous as the surf was pumping and the sun was going down. Parking was a bit strange until I quickly realized it was valet only. Once inside we waited about 3 seconds to be seated at our table right next to window overlooking ocean. Good food, friendly service.
(5)Irustin B.
I was not sure after my first visit if the outstanding food and service was a onetime thing so I went again. Shrimp dumpling appetizer -mmmm Texture Amazing, sauce spectacular Lobster Pasta (might have been called carboni) - wow, perfectly done and delicious. Bread was good and fries incredible. The placed was Packed! At 8pm on a Sunday night. Still, even though we were told it would be an hour wait (it was 50 min) we got first rate service. Flawless presentation, and everything was fresh. There is probably no better restaurant in town.
(5)M. C.
Location is clearly lovely. Food was decent- tasty, not impressive. What killed our afternoon was the behavior of our waiter Kyle. At least two comments he made I thought were rude and unprofessional: - we requested to break a $5 bill into ones, he refused, saying the valet could provide us with change - BEFORE we had completed and signed our credit card slips (group paid with a combination of cash/CC), he comes to the table announcing the breakdown of the total bill- total cash, total credit and pointed out that the tip portion was less than xx amount of dollars. Basically acting butt-hurt and defensive. Not only was his behavior inappropriate, it was completely illogical- we hadn't had a chance to complete and sign the credit card slips. It is very common to add tip to one's credit card slip, sum the new total and then sign it. Don't be rude, especially based on your wrong assumptions. It could have been a really classy place, but the behavior above ruined it.
(2)Jen L.
I made an appointment on open table and mentioned it was our anniversary.. Immediately when we arrived they wished us a happy anniversary and seated us upstairs on the patio.. We had the Cowboy Steak and Porcini Crusted Scallops.. Steak was cooked to perfection with a good charbroiled taste.. The scallops were just as good if not better.. At the end of the meal they surprised us with dessert - White Chocolate Bread Pudding!! And as we were leaving the receptionist wished us a happy anniversary again!! Service and staff were great.. This place is a nice upscale casual with an amazing view.. Allow yourself some time for parking.. They have valet or you can pay for beach parking.. We just paid for all day parking at the beach lot right next to the restaurant so we could hang out at the beach afterwards.. We'll come back soon to try their Sunday brunch!
(5)Robert D.
Food was outstanding. View is amazing. Good ambiance. I thought the staff was very nice. Parking lot was nuts but the valet dudes were very nice and friendlky. Kind of a beautiful people crowd the night we were there but all in all I'd go back. Had the scallops and they were delicious. Margaritas are very good.
(4)Sarah A.
This restaurant is amazing! Amazing food, service and location! The food was delicious! I highly recommend the Kobe beef/lobster sushi. We came here with our two young daughters, we were able to sit upstairs on the balcony which was perfect so we could look out over the ocean and watch the sunset. Making a reservation was a breeze, made one within ten mins of walking in. If you're in the area, this is a must! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Alice C.
Incredible atmosphere and food! Recommended by Park Hyatt Aviara concierge. Great recommendation and a fantastic sunset before we ate. We went an hour before to walk on the beach and relax! Fresh Maui Maui and lobster chowder!! Go. Be. Love.
(4)Heidi I.
My BF took me here for my birthday last night, it was wonderful. I have not a single complaint. We had a 7:15 reservation, got there on time and Valet immediately get us taken care of, we were seated immediately at a table right at the window so we had great ocean views. I asked my BF if he asked for that table, he should have taken credit for it, but no, we just got lucky and that was the table we got...he didn't even tell them it was my birthday to get a good table or anything. So it was great that we had such a perfect table. Chris was our server, he was attentive and knowledgeable. Informed us of the Aloha Roll appetizer special (a very interesting and delicious sushi roll that we did order), we also got the calamari. Also good. For dinner I had the Salmon with black truffle oil gnocchi and zucchini succotash with a port wine reduction OMG. Very good. I had to control myself to not eat the whole thing. But I am very excited to eat the rest for lunch today. Boyfriend had the Ribs. I would not have ordered that but he is very picky about fish since he fishes and we have a freezer full of fish he caught, so he goes for meat at restaurants often. We also saw someone else at the next table get that and it looked pretty delish. It was. Chris brought me a Bread Pudding dessert for my birthday, it was divine, I also saved half of it for today. Dinner was Aloha Roll ($20) Calamari ($12) Salmon ($29) Ribs ($29.50) 3 Moscow Mules ($33.75) and 3 Sculpins ($23.75) coming to $159.30 with tax before tip. Pricey but great for a special occasion or date night. Not much more expensive than anywhere else nice. BF's mom had been in a few weeks ago and she told us it was really loud...I guess maybe it's a little loud but not loud enough that it bothered me, she is kind of a cranky old lady. We walked upstairs and checked out the bar and patio, looks cool, we would go and try to sit up there next time, maybe more lively for drinks and appetizers only. Oh, and portions were large. We definitely did not need both appetizers, but everything was awesome.
(5)Kara R.
Holy Moly The lobster tail here is THE BEST in California - heck even the entire baja peninsula I'm not kidding! I believe it's south african lobster tail. It's definitely a scene and it's not cheap but dear God the lobster tail is AMAZING!!!! It's a good date night kinda place too
(5)Cheryl T.
As good as it gets! We were lucky enough to sit upstairs on the deck and overlook the gorgeous beach. The service was attentive and friendly. The food was delicious - but what we raved about the most, was the wording on the menu. The most enticing words put together to describe food!! Forbidden rice?? I just had to get a side of this rice to try for myself! It was indeed yummy. Everyone in our party enjoyed everything we ordered and I couldn't have asked for a better evening out. Well done PCG, well done!
(5)Jim D.
Great margaritas, amazing sushi rolls. I had the seafood paella it was very good. Not too dry like some paellas can be. The winner of the night was the sesame crusted ahi and the banana split.
(5)Rei-Na J.
This restaurant has it all...great service, tasty food and an amazing view.... Trifecta!! We were here for a surprise bday party for one of my pretty cousins. We had a party of 30 and the outside patio was reserved for our group. Within minutes of walking in, one of the servers asked me what I wanted to drink and I happily and willingly gave her my order (Titos and water, 2 lemons). The apps came next, served family style. We tried the crab cakes, chips/guacamole, surf and turf roll and my fave, calamari. I was torn between ordering the lobster tacos vs seared ahi with coconut rice and after much deliberation, I picked the lobster tacos because the server said it was served deconstructed. I like that because I'm not one for tortillas so I tend to pick tacos apart and only eat the inside. The lobster taco plate was nicely presented but unfortunately, the ratio of lobster to tomatoes was disappointing. It should have been called tomato tacos, with a touch of lobster. But that's ok... As I looked over at the view, I immediately relaxed and somehow didn't mind one bit. I was also on my 2nd cocktail so I'm sure that helped as well. G$ (youngest son/baby love) ordered the seared ahi and holy tastebuds, YelpMan!!!! Intense flavors, sesame crust was delicious and melt in your mouth awesomeness!!!! Take a road trip to Cardiff by the Sea and stop here for lunch... You will pat yourself on the back for listening to me.
(5)Kaia T.
We took a large party of clients here and decided to come here due to a client's recommendation. The views are phenomenal. I'm from the East coast and it was nice to witness such a pretty sunset. The service was great regarding our meal. Our server, Blake did an excellent job with our large group. Despite the fact I made reservations in advance, the hostess didn't: 1. Show us to our table, as most of us had never been there 2. There were not enough chairs for the table and I had ask for a table to be moved in order to create more seating room. Mind you, we were standing around for an employee to provide us with a chair and move the tables together. I think the biggest thing was, I made a reservation for 18 and only 14 were able to join us; therefore the staff should have been more accommodating when I informed the hostess of this the second we arrived. The food was delicious. I will say, everything we ordered was nothing, but amazing and we did get a lot of food. For apps, I recommend the dungeness crab cakes and dumplings, ahi tuna for the entree (presentation and taste were great), and for dessert the coconut cheesecake and creme brûlée. Although, the manager did inform me we would have the table from 5-7:30. It's just very puzzling to me if you are paying over $1,000 for 14 people for dinner, you should never be limited with the amount of time you're allotted to sit at your table. It's just backwards to me. The sunset made up the poor accommodations and staff kicking us out after we were done with our meal. I truly didn't think they were going to actually kick us out, but we were politely asked to leave. Overall, it was a great restaurant. It would have been nice if they were more accommodating with our large party.
(3)Destiny P.
While in San Diego for the weekend, my bf wanted to have his birthday dinner somewhere on the beach or at least w a nice beach view. Pacific Coast Grill had the best view in north county. It was not only perfect but convenient. We had just left Cardiff beach and this was right up the street and we were able to get reservations within 10 mins! The reviews on this place were great and you couldn't beat the view. When we arrived and gave them our reservation name we were sat inside right away. Although we were sat inside there was still a perfect ocean view right in front of us and we wanted to see the sunset. The reason we were sat inside was because our 10month old was asleep in her car seat. My bf decided after 10 mins that he really wanted to sit outside. The place started to quickly fill up and I was worried we wouldn't get to sit outside .. While he went to the restroom I asked our waitress (Jenn C. -who was awesome btw) if it were possible to still grab a seat outside and also keep her as our waitress. After a few mins, she came over and helped us move outside. It was perfect! And since it was his birthday I wanted to make sure he was happy and w this beautiful seating on the beach who wouldn't be?! We ordered the hot rock appetizer w filet minon. A must!! And I also ordered the black mussels! Plenty and filling. Super tasty! For our main course my bf ordered the lobster tacos and I ordered the sea food pasta! I could not finish my plate, it was so filling! I definitely recommend the seafood pasta - it comes w lobster, shrimp, scallops and mahi. And these aren't tiny pieces either! The pieces were BIG, whereas most places gip you on this. This place had it going on! They also brought out our little one sliced avocados which worked out perfect. I later pulled our waitress aside to ask if there was anything they could do for his birthday and she listed 3 diff desserts to choose from that she could bring out towards the end of our dinner. She gave me her recommendation and I went w it initially. But after my bf went through the dessert menu he had told me he really wanted to try the tempura banana split. YES, you read that correctly! Amazing right?! Well, that wasn't one of the options so I ran back inside and asked if there was any way we could get him that dessert instead and that if I had to pay extra it was ok. She said she would see what she could do etc. Well, Jenn came through w the tempura banana split and it was AMAZING. I don't even think that word can possibly describe how delicious this dessert was! We were so absolutely pleased w our waitress and the service. She definitely went up and beyond for us and this place definitely deserves 5 stars. Everyone who worked there was so on top of everything and accommodating. And who can beat the view!?!? This is definitely going to be our go-to spot when we come back to Encinitas! Thanks again Jenn C. for great service!!!!!
(5)Tina P.
Stopped in for a late lunch. Enjoyed wine & local craft beer. The prices were pretty steep for sushi, but someone's gotta pay for the beachfront property, I guess. Ordered the Surf & Turf Roll Kobe beef, spicy lobster, soft shell crab, avocado, truffle-Unagi sauce & crispy leeks $20, Cardiff Reef Roll spicy tuna, Dungeness crab, tempura jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce $18, Yellowtail Tartare Stack with avocado- habanero- mango sauce & sesame-ginger wontons $16.50. I really enjoyed the flavors of both rolls just super pricey!!!!
(4)Kari U.
We weren't able to make it in time for sunset, but the view was still beautiful! They light up the beach at night and it's such a calming feeling to watch the waves roll in. Onto the good stuff (and not so good stuff)... Food: 4 stars. The lobster and crab guacamole was good, but for $20, I expected house made (and not grocery store) tortilla chips. Paella was excellent and probably enough for two to share. Service: 3 stars. Seated quickly but server took a while to take our drink order. We also had to ask for bread, although it looked like all other tables got it automatically. We had to flag him down to refill our drinks and waited forever for our check. When he dropped it at our table, he said "here's the bill" no "thanks for coming in". Bussers were personable and helpful though. Location is the highlight of this place. But our favorite spot in this area will remain Jake's.
(4)Jen E.
The views are exceptional, so I guess I understand why everything is so over-priced on the menu...they have to pay for it somehow, but $6.75 for a Pacifico? Really. The decor is very bland, which I also get....because THE VIEW, why do you care if you are sitting in a sea of beige with the ocean & beach right through those windows, However, Pacific Coast Grill, I think you can do better. Look to Jake's up the road in Del Mar. That place has the view and definite vibe to it. So, if I can get beyond the exorbitant tourist-high prices and lack-luster interior, I like the place. The food is good. Not exceptional, but good. The clam & lobster chowder is more of a bisque, but it's tasty. And the Prime Rib sliders got high marks from my husband. I enjoyed the Primo French Dip over lunch, even if the prime rib was chopped up so finely that a lot of soldiers were lost to the Au Jus. Our server was very attentive & really sweet. And probably best of all the cocktails were made with a heavy pour too (making the extreme pricing a little easier to take). For those trying to save a couple pennies while taking in the sunset, they have an early-bird dinner menu. And during the winter months, you really are getting your best value here if you actually dine while you can see the water. Yes, they have flood lights for night, but it's not the same thing, plus there are many better restaurants in town for sure. The lunch crowd on the patio featured a mixed-bag. Lots of old ladies (a book club, I think), some business lunch duos, and a smattering of ladies who lunch alternating glasses of sparkling water and white wine. They were a collection of chattery groups though, so a romantic lunch this was not. $4 Valet.
(3)D S.
Food and ambiance is awesome!
(5)Tricia R.
This is definitely an awesome restaurant! The food is amazing and the view is gorgeous!
(5)Ernesto C.
In the spirit of penning a note to my pal YELP - a note that carries a bit of an non-ordinary twist, this gem of a location on Highway 101 aka "P"acific Coast Grill and its lead "P" brought the idea of the 5 'P's of Marketing 101 to mind & in this order: PLACE - the place is stellar and a direct window to the world of the Pacific Ocean // secure your dining posi by 7pm, cocktail in hand by 710pm and enjoy the remains of the day until the star of the show - the big bright sun - sets on the West as it rises in the Far East.... you view this performance unfolding from lovely PCG's ocean portal : 180 degrees of windows, smack dab on the beach with perfect viewing vantage points: from the bar, at the tabletops, the formal dining room, outside patio and upstairs terrace - all with a common real estate theme: location location location and PCG has some of the best SD & SoCal have to offer PRODUCT - the cocktails were nice and the list is exhaustive // ditto and then some in the wine selections dept // there is a good selection of margaritas and the Missus indulged in one with a blueberry flavor and I chose a spicy one ( with a side shot of Patron blanco on the side - always for good measure & at the end of a stressful week ) - many good appetiser choices and we opted for the crispy cornbread calamari with a delish " chipotle dipping sauce " ..perfect... - we went on to our mains: coconut crusted mahi mahi ( tiny piece ) on a bed of jasmine rice & apple cider soy butter ( too sweet ) + baby bok choy ..... the Lady had seabass with spinach, mash tatties, toms & basil - here is the mystery: how can these two entrees possibly be prepared in cooked in about " one minute "?..... I want to say that either the kitchen is ultra efficient (huhmmmm?) or a good bit of pre.prep / pre.cook went into these two dishes ( freshness factor?)... not an ideal situation & it gives a new meaning to the movie title 'Gone in 60 Seconds' - the verdict: just ok but not close to out of this world & next time we'll opt for shared appetisers ( again, the calamari was great ) - the saving grace and PCG's redemption: a rich and fab bread pudding with caramel bourbon that was out of this world(!) PROMOTION - what better way to promote your great place and it product than with excellent service - whilst the front host was a bit stiff & robotic ( albeit, with a lovely Barbiei smile ), our server for the evening - Sharon - was excellent from start to finish and earned a generous & well deserved gratuity PRICE & PROFIT - at the English say, it was "very dear" and that translates to very pricey .....but then again, the setting is phenomenal and Cardiff is so quaint and such an idyllic place for din on the SoCal coast - I think one can go there and indulge in sunset cocktails and some evening fun and nibble away at a good assortment of appetisers, all night long ~ ~ ~ All in a all, not a Yelp 5 star award, net of Place and Promo categories (5+). And, mixed reviews for Product and the Price to value equations. No doubt, a must go / a must try & we'll definitely be back for more.
(4)Kim P.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS! best ocean views. best service. best food. if youre considering Jakes or Posiedon or Chart House, dont do it. come here and youll never want to leave there are wonderful two top tables right next to the beach and there are also bigger tables for groups. theres an upstairs with a bar too and a ton of event space if you want to have a wedding here
(5)Bill G.
Great view. Great view, great view. OK that said, the food here is pretty good, it's not just anything that draws me back. I've eaten here twice, and while nothing was bad, nothing stood out. The prices aren't outrageous, but they are at the higher end of the spectrum- typical of an ocean front restaurant. The upstairs bar area is the standout spot to have a sunset cocktail or IPA on draft, and the views from the outside patio deck and the inside window seating in the early summer evenings more than makes up for the uninspiring menu. I would rate this pretty comparable to the other ocean front spots in the area like Jake's and the Poseidon-definitely better than the Chart House next door. That being said, like most view places that rely on location over food, when winter comes and it's dark outside, I will be eating elsewhere.
(3)Rachel M.
View was amazing, food was great. If the weather is nice, sit outside. You are paying for the view, so you may as well enjoy it. I had the Filet Mignon and my husband had the lobster tacos. We loved it, but we probably won't come here very often. I have three small children to put through college and it is not very frugal to spend $150 on dinner/drinks for two. That being said, I do highly recommend, especially for a date you are trying to impress (she/he will probably put out after) or an out of towner (I'm talking about you, everyone in Arizona).
(4)Nancy J.
Wanted someplace special for my brother's birthday and after a recommendation by a shop owner in Encinitas, decided to try PCG. OMG - both of us agreed that this was most definitely the best meal either of us have ever had - bar none. I had the salmon and I believe he had a steak. Their sauces and side dishes were simply amazing. I don't think his wife had the same experience but I also don't think she ordered wisely LOL. You don't go to an upscale restaurant and order tacos. Although our dinner was slightly on the high side, it was undoubtedly worth every penny. if you're in the area, make sure you go. If possible, make a reservation. You definitely won't regret it.
(5)Brian W.
The view, the food, the service: all 5 stars . Two levels, each with a bar and every seat has a view of the ocean. Some better than others. The seafood selection? Halibut, sushi, lobster... The service? Attention to detail. No need to consider eating here. I'll make it a point to come back to San Diego just to visit.
(5)Dustin S.
Amazing location right on the beach with fantastic heated outdoor seating. The port reduction sauce on the dumplings appetizer unreal, be sure to dip the rosemary bread in it as well after you finish the dumplings. Bloody Mary's are very good here, as is the wine selection. The Seafood Cobb salad is as good as it gets (as well as the aforementioned dumpling appetizer). This is a regular spot for me so I will update this review as I try more menu options.
(4)Em H.
I'm giving this place a 3 star rating and that's for the food alone. Wish I can be more generous with regards to the food but the hostess' were totally snobby. Ugh, I can't stand snobby bitches. Anyway, I made reservations on a Friday for the next day (Saturday night) for a party of 8 to celebrate my moms birthday. I did extensive research in finding a nice restaurant on Yelp ...there are just too many fancy restaurants with mediocre ratings but was pleased with this one. We were taking a limo from Orange County - about a 2 hour drive from Cardiff. I requested a 6:30 reservation but apparently there was no availability so the woman I spoke to on the phone said she can get me a 5:45 reservation but that it would be ok if we were running late, just to please call ahead and warn them. I made it clear that we would definitely be late as our limo wasn't picking us up until 4. She seemed willing to work with us so I accepted the early reservation time. As we were headed that way, I made a courtesy call as instructed to let them know we would be late, (a little more than anticipated because there was heavy traffic for some reason.) Not their fault, obviously. She assured me it would be fine and we hung up. About 15 minutes later, I saw that I had a missed call from the restaurant. I called back and they asked if we were still coming. I said yes of course, she said they had moved our tables but would put them back to accommodate our party size. I'm like mmmmm ok. But whatever, we made it there finally (we were starving). We were all dressed up and right when we walked in all of the hostesses, there seemed to be 3, immediately gave us the mean eye. I'm not sure if they were just pissed at us for being late or if they didn't like how we looked. We were the only Hispanic customers, and I hate even pulling the race card...I don't ever feel discriminated because of my race, but here I did. My sisters immediately thought the same thing and we just started making jokes to each other about it...like, "they're gonna seat us far from a door cause they think we're gonna dine and dash" or "they probably can't afford this place" haha! we made light of it and tried not to let it ruin our evening. We were seated immediately tho. Great view! Our waitress was very polite and she took our orders right away. We ordered Calamari and guacamole with chips. Calamari was ok...kinda chewy and the guac was good but no salsa. Who serves guac without salsa? Was just a little strange to me. All the guys that brought our food out were all polite. I ordered the filet mignon and it was delicious. Everyone enjoyed their meals but were just turned off by the continued glares from a particular hostess. I wish I got her name.....she was a short blond with kinda separated eyes. Anyway, if it wasn't for the snobs, I would have given this place 4 or 5 stars. We had a $460 tab, with that being said, I won't be back. Theres just too many options in the San Diego area where we can spend that kind of money and not have to deal with rude bitches.
(3)K T.
This restaurant is at a nice location, right on the water! We went for lunch a few months ago. I just remembered to write a review. The surf and turf roll is delicious! The roll has kobe beef on it, so delicious! The lobster roll came highly recommended here so we decided to try it. I actually wasn't a fan. It was kind of make your own but that's not why I didn't like it. I wasn't big on the stew type feel of the lobster roll. It's definitely a different approach to these kinds of rolls. We would come back for the view and to try something else on the menu!
(3)Shelley A.
I had a wonderful experience on a beautiful Sunday for lunch. We made a last minute reservation and got an ocean front table. I had my favorite smoked salmon platter with toasted bagel, red onions, capers, fresh dill and cream cheese. The service was extremely good. My only nit pick was the cream cheese seemed diluted with something, it was lighter in texture than normal and lacked the full tanginess of regular cream cheese. Easy parking with the valet. It is a tasteful remodel and better use of the space and view than the former restaurant, Charlie's By The Sea. I would go back for sure.
(4)Laura G.
The new Pacific Coast Grill is stunning, both inside & with the outside view. You can't get any closer to the water if you dine outside on one of their 2 outdoor patios. They have an awesome upstairs bar & the staff was great. They even offer a kids menu - and our waitress was great with our little one. The ambience is a soft, cool, coastal vibe with a lot of stone & white washed wood. The food and drinks are delicious, but it loses points for not offering a Happy Hour. Drinks are still $12-$14 for cocktails/margaritas & $4-$14 for beer all day long. My husband and I came for drinks and apps with our 1.5 year old. We shared both the Crispy Cornmeal Calamari with lemon & chipotle dipping sauce which was one of the best I've had in San Diego apart from Pacifica. Then the Coconut Shrimp Roll Dungeness crab, tempura jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce which was okay, but nothing amazing. I probably wouldn't order it again. Overall I love the place, mostly due to the ambience & location right on the water. The menu was good but give us a Happy Hour please!
(4)Portia A.
My husband and I went here for lunch o a Saturday for our anniversary. Even though it was at lunch time I was told that reservations are always a good idea, so we made them. Not sure if reservations in the afternoon are really necessary unless you are trying to reserve sport outside on the patio. Even then, you can not request where outside you want to sit. So if you wanted that table right by the glass, you better hope it's available. The lunch menu was super basic. Burger, sandwich, tacos, salad. Not much variety like I was hoping. However, the quality and taste of the food was excellent. Good food paired with an amazing view is hard to dislike. Note: the drinks are pricey so if you looking to have a few drinks without breaking the bank, this may not be the place.
(4)A D.
Review for valet staff... Thanks guys! Picked up the Surf and Turf + Rainbow Roll tonight (always great) for take out, valet staff were so nice! I was in and out, they had my car up front and ready without a wait! **Highly recommend your favorite menu items for a nice little dinner to go. Thanks again guys !!
(5)Cvetiliana B.
I am straddling between 3 and 4 stars. I will go with 4 because of the awesome menu, atmosphere and gluten free options. But it really is a bit spendy for what it is, despite being on the beach. I mean, their milking the beach location to death lol. I expect these prices in super upscale restaurants, this is kinda upscale casual if you will. Hey, if there is a TV anywhere, it can't be that uppity. There were so many things on this menu that looked good that I finally threw my hands up in the air and asked my peeps to order. I think we made some decent choices. LOBSTER TACOS With roasted corn-tomato salsa, black beans & choice of tortillas, but I didn't like the big chunks of cubed tomatoes mixed in (like the kind you get out of a can, not saying that's where it came from, just saying what it reminded me of & tasted like) The lobster tasted good but not like lobster unfortunately, maybe because what it came with just didn't go well together, including the beans and corn tortillas. Wouldn't order again & I love lobster. I'm surprised this place is known for this dish. $24.5 (before taxes) BABY BEET & PEAR SALAD I LOVED the wild arugula, macadamia nuts, beets & balsamic-basil vinaigrette. So simple yet delicious. We got it without the goat cheese because no one at the table was in the mood to watch me puke that night from the smallest of morsels. God I hate it as much as blue mold cheese. $12 COCONUT SHRIMP ROLL DUNGENESS CRAB - 2 orders We had this without they battered coconut tempura because my peeps are on the gluten free diet. It came with jalapenos, avocado & ginger-ponzu sauce. I liked this for sure, my sushi connoisseurs liked it even more, so I guess it must be great, they even ordered a 2nd serving. Apparently it was so fresh it was like they just went out and caught the fish, well, the ocean is right there :) 18X2= $36 CHICKEN QUESADILLA With Spanish rice, guacamole & sour creamI didn't get a chance to try this. It was on the "Dependents Menu." The child I believe enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind trying that next time since it's sort of a staple. $9.95 I would love to also try the DEEP FRIED GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH next time I go, I am simple, give me bread, give me cheese, fry it up and I am good to go. $15.5 DULCE DE LECHE CREME BRULEE with FRESH WILD BERRIES We opted for the dessert above to split 4 ways (too many buff people all around motivates us to not even split 2 ways). The cream was the right consistency and the flavor was good. I liked that they burned the top just right to give that slight bitter taste with lots of thin crispness. The berries were sweet and juicy...and quite wild apparently. $8 My peeps drank some alcohol but I didn't so I can't comment on that. But I figured I should mention it as it was part of the $150 bill. The service was also good. The atmosphere of course awesome. I mean, you're on the beach. Check out the photos of the place on their web site, it's trendy and cute. On a nice sunny day I'd be in heaven. I will try them for lunch next time I am in the area.
(4)Tammy R.
Food, location and view were terrific. Large windows face the ocean...and you literally sitting just yards from the water. Parking is the biggest detriment...very difficult to get into the small parking lot during main lunch/dinner hours. A bit pricy...shared the special and two ice teas...$30. But paying for the location, not just the food.
(4)Alexa P.
I came here over the weekend for lunch and I was really excited to try it out! We did not have any trouble with valet and we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant. We sat at a window table and enjoyed the sun while we ate. We ordered the PCG Burger and Bag O' Bonz and split everything. The fries that came with the ribs were actually pretty gross but I didn't plan on eating them any way. The burger was standard and cooked the way we asked for it. The ribs did not have as much meat on them as I would have liked, but the sauce they were cooked in was delicious. Our server was really great and very attentive. Valet was also great and we had no problems tipping them even though we forgot cash. They had credit card machines that we were able to use to charge a tip. Overall, the ambiance was great and the service was also great. The food was standard, which is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)Doctor R.
Sweet place with a gorgeous view on the beach!! The menu made it very hard to make a decision on what we wanted and the things we chose were amazingly delicious. We will return again and try something else on the menu. can't wait!
(4)Jim J.
Had Sunday brunch with two friends last Sunday. Food was mediocre. My fish tacos were dry, and not worthy of the name in San Diego. My friend's Lobster was very overlooked and dry. My other friend's egg dish was ok, not great. The service was good and the view is great. But the food is most important and it was not good. The restaurant was nearly empty so it wasn't the fault of the kitchen being rushed or overwhelmed. Just inept.
(2)Debby D.
What amazing views of the ocean! It feels like you're sitting on the sand. You pretty much are! Pretty much wherever you sit in this restaurant makes you glad you're in San Diego! I came here with my husband and his parents for dinner. My husband and his mom both had the vegetarian burger. They said it was delicious. There's even a separate menus for vegetarians (score!). I had the halibut (yum) and my FIL had a couple different appetizers as his meal. He loved the port dumplings so much he ordered a second order! The next time I come, I'd like to sit on the patio outside or upstairs on the balcony. I might even just come for a drink and an appetizer!
(4)Eric W.
We took my wife's family out here while visiting them on vacation. The sushi appetizer was good, the fries were nicely prepared, but nothing amazing. Everyone ordered some type of seafood, my scallops were great, and my wife's ahi tuna was very good. Service was also great, just wish we had come sooner to take advantage of the spectacular ocean view!
(4)Jerry L.
This is my first choice to take clients for lunch/dinner. The view is spectacular, I mean really impressive. The service to top notch and the food is great, this visit we started with sushi (bravo-fresh, unique and mouth watering) and wine recommendations from the server on their extensive wine list add to the experience. I have a group dinner planner here on 2/21 and very much looking forward to dining here again. This is one of very few restaurants in San Diego located right on the beach. There are some crummy places in Seaport Village in downtown, but this is a very special place.
(5)Curtis J.
When you can't get your signature dish right, something is wrong. Baby back ribs (Bag of Bones) were over cooked and dry. On top of that, if I wait for an outdoor table and order a bottle of wine at a place this expensive I really do not expect to be rushed. When I'm not even half way through my appetizer and cocktail you should not be dropping the entrées. They took the ribs off but charged us for everything else after we let them know how displeased we were. Don't sell me a bottle of wine when you plan on rushing us out the door after taking our order, especially when you are not even busy. If you want to give fast food service, you should charge fast food pricing.
(1)Stephanie K.
Most amazing view. The crab and lobster guacamole is delish. Order it with some salsa fresca and hot sauce and your tummy will thank you. The coconut shrimp roll was nothing special. Couldn't even taste the shrimp and for $20 I'd choose something else. The wait staff was low end for a high end restaurant. We had to ask for straws 3 times. At the end of the meal, we asked for our plates to be cleared and naturally assumed that since there was only water left on our table they would bring the check but we had to ask for it. Good for a date night if your not footing the bill.
(3)Michelle S.
I've come here for lunches and dinners, and also thrown a company event with Pacific Coast Grill. I absolutely love this restaurant. The staff is fantastic, they are very accommodating and attentive. The ambiance is outstanding. You can not find a better location. Every person I've taken here has been floored by the beach-front real estate and beautiful setting. It's definitely one of the best spots in San Diego. The drinks are delicious, I especially enjoy the pineapple martini. And... the food. I don't know if anything I write will do it justice. Absolutely incredible. I have never had a bite that I didn't love. I think the porcini crusted scallops are my favorite, but you really can't go wrong with anything. Tacos, fish, filet, every app I've had... remarkable. Go here as often as you can-- but at the very least to celebrate special occasions. :) Oh! And reservations are a must!
(5)Christine R.
I have been to PCG a few times. The food is always delicious! And the service is always top of the line! This is truly one of my most favorite North County Restaurants! I recently experienced their Sunday Brunch! You must give it a try! Their eggs lobster Benedict is scrumptious! A perk for me is they carry Domain Chandon splits! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Erin F.
We love this place! You can't beat the location - RIGHT on the beach - there is not a bad seat in the whole place. You have a view from any table. The food is always delicious and the service is great. I DO feel like some items are over-priced, but that is kind of expected at places like these. This is the perfect place for weekend brunch in my opinion! Valet parking only, so bring some cash.
(4)Ali C.
Oof, this place was great. I was on a business trip with some colleagues and we found ourselves here due to the recommendation of a client and what a place. You literally cannot beat the view - it's overlooking the ocean and during sunset - yowza. Definitely a great change of scenery for us east coasters in 30 degree weather! If you're looking for a cocktail, get the pineapple martini. It had a great kick to it (I think there were habanero peppers). The waitress actually told me it was her favorite cocktail on the menu. They brought us out guac on the house which was pretty decent. We also got fried calamari for an app - the chipotle aioli - SO GOOD. For my meal I got the porcini crusted scallops. Let me say that I am not a huge seafood person, but whenever I go to California I order scallops and they are consistently good! At first, this dish doesn't look like much but it's super filling. The sauce has mushrooms, fingerlings and corn. Really delicious. Fantastic place!
(4)Alyson P.
My family and friends threw me a surprise party for my 30th here! the food & views were simply amazing! Thank you so much for helping us celebrate my special day!
(4)Tiff A.
Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating my dad's 78th birthday here along with my mom. We ended up here as a recommendation from another person staying at the hotel where my parents were for the week. We were looking for a good seafood dinner and they had been told that the prices were a little high so we were not walking in thinking we were going to have an inexpensive meal. From the minute we pulled in the parking lot and were greeted by the valet, we knew we had found someplace special. When we walked in the dining room we were completely blown away by the AMAZING view!! The waiter was fantastic and had everything very well paced. He had the salad my mom and I decided to share split in the kitchen - always a nice touch to me - and he also brought out a complimentary dessert for my dad. We had a fantastic meal, great service and a truly spectacular view. The next time we are in the area we will definitely return and recommend it to our family who also travels in the area.
(5)Sean B.
Ambiance was amazing. I had a burger and was very pleased. Will go again.
(4)Ann j.
Great place for ocean view dinning. Good wine selection. Love this place because you can find everything in one . Try to make reservations this place is always busy.
(5)Susan W.
We have been to Pacific Coast Grill a few times and it never disappoints! The last time was no exception. The food was excellent. The staff (Valet, front desk, wait staff, bus boys) are all friendly and welcoming. Our waitress, Melanie was beyond fabulous. We were celebrating my step-father's 92nd birthday. Melanie was so sweet to him and a great waitress to the rest of us as well. All around excellent restaurant with a wonderful view!
(5)Erica W.
I've been coming here for several years, mostly to meet up with friends for some drinks and good conversation. I most recently came here for brunch and it was delicious!!!! Not only do they have some of the best ocean views in San Diego County, but they are one of the few places in SD that accept brunch reservations! The entire staff is consistently warm and friendly. My husband and I arrived right on time, but were still waiting on the rest of our party to arrive. At many restaurants they won't sit you until the whole party is there but the hostess said it was no problem and sat us right away. They also have valet parking available for $4 and the valet takes cash or credit (because really, who carries cash everywhere nowadays). And if you're one of those people who cannot miss a football game because your fantasy team is counting on you (like my husband), they have plenty of tvs inside at the bar. Now lets talk about the food. My friend and I ended up sharing our entrees, so I got to try 2 menu items. I ordered the creme brulee french toast and my friend got the lobster benedict. Both were seriously amazing! I'm really glad we ended up splitting our meals too, because I think having the entire creme brulee french toast would have been a bit of a sugar overload. Whatever sauce they put on the french toast is beyond delicious and they didn't skimp on the berries. The lobster benedict was also very good. I'm really picky about hollandaise sauce and PCG nailed it! It was the perfect texture and had great flavor. The lobster benedict is a regular eggs benedict with some lobster in the shell on the side. I can't speak for the lobster portion, because I'm really not the biggest lobster fan (I know what you're thinking, who doesn't love lobster?!?!...this girl) and it seemed like a waste for me to eat any of it. They have a full bar as well. I had a mimosa, which was delightful. The only thing I would change about my experience is I really wish they had bottomless mimosas, because what is Sunday brunch without a glass or 4.
(5)Joan R.
We hosted a dinner for 55 people for our son and his fiancé's rehearsal dinner last Thursday evening. Aside from the obvious gorgeous view, I cannot think of a more perfect location to have held this event. Working with Beth, Miguel and Sammi was so easy. They completely understood what we wanted and how to make the evening magical. The staff the night of the event was so attentive and accommodating. The restaurant assigned so many waiters to our group. We never had to wait for anything we requested. On to the food...amazing! Everything came perfectly prepared out of the kitchen on time and at the correct temperature...not always easy to do when serving a large group at the same time. For apps we had the crab cakes, house made guacamole and Aloha roll. We also had a choice of 2 salads, 4 entrees and 3 desserts. I had the seared ahi served with black rice in a delicious sauce and wanted seconds. My husband loved his seafood pasta and others raved about the short ribs and the salmon. It was a great variety of options for our happy guests. PCG has a great wine list and tasty cocktails. All in all, it was the perfect way to kick off the wedding weekend. Thanks to all who made it possible!
(5)Michelle G.
This place was AMAZING. Valet parking $4, came in, was seated right away! Got an awesome table by the window so we could see the water, didn't even ask for a water view! Ordered the Crab guacamole, wife LOVED it! For the main course we ordered the lobster tail and the Chile Filet Mignon, both were DELICIOUS. Nothing needed for the steak, it was perfect! Dessert we ordered the butterscotch apple pie with Tahitian Vanila Gelato, so good. The meal in totality was perfect. Our server was also Super awesome, Chrissy, I think was her name! She was very attentive and even poured my wife's Champagne for her. :) When we are in SD again, we will for sure be coming back to Pacific Coast Grill and have already recommended it to our friends in the area!
(5)Jacob D.
I would recommend PCG to anyone and everyone! Our entire experience was phenomenal. The view of the ocean is perfect with a great ambiance inside. Our server was prompt and friendly and all the cocktails were tasty and interesting. I got to try the steak, lobster tail, and Mahi Mahi. All 3 were out of this world. For dessert we had a chocolate and peanut butter stuffed friend banana split that was delicious. A must try if you are in North County!
(5)Jorgeanne C.
Great view of the ocean and even better if you come in time for sunset. They also have valet for only $4 or close by state parking area. To start off we started we the calamari and the house made guac. Both were good nothing special but good. For my main dish i had the lobster bacon cabornara and it was very good. Each bite had a bite of lobster and that comes to show you that they were not skimpy at all with the lobster. And they aren't at all with their portions. Flavors in all their dishes are rich which is expected for plates running from 20-high 30s. Drinks here were ok priced, strong and still able to drink it all. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Great place to come with a group of friends as well.
(5)Candace N.
We had lunch recently and unfortunately it was just ok. I really wanted to love it because it's such a nice restaurant and the staff was very kind. But the food was just average and for the price I expect a little more. I had the lobster tacos and I definitely think they should work on the presentation.
(3)Relian R.
Seabass filet had bones in it and the calamari was greasy. The hostess was a bit rude and was in a hurry to get us seated without trying to chat with us. Our waitress was OK. Our sodas had too much ice and made our drinks so watery. The food didn't taste fresh to me considering the location of the restaurant. What ahame. It was beautiful view just wished the food matched it. Don't think I would dining there anytime soon.
(2)Dana B.
Wonderful!!! Came in from out of town. Our server Chris was on point. Food was fantastic. Amazing view. A must go to. Will definitely come back if ever in town again.
(5)Leigh E.
WOW! Service was GREAT... View was AMAZING... Food was DELICIOUS! Can't wait to go back! I highly recommend!
(5)Nick O.
Great place - food 5, view 5, service 5 stars. Elegant modern food, reasonably priced, great view and service. Our favorite on the coast. Interior design is unusual and you can love it or hate it. Been here 3 times - no complaints. Good choice for both drink with snack and full dinner.
(5)Lianna S.
I'm a huge fan! I have been waiting for a year for PCG to reopen after moving from their Solana Beach location. I must say, they picked the perfect location and did a great job. It sits right next to the Beach House on the beach in Cardiff with ocean views for miles. The inside is nicely decorated and the upstairs bar & patio area is even more panoramic. Of course, my boyfriend and I both had to order the lobster tacos that we've been missing and they were as delicious as ever, although maybe slightly smaller portions than I remember. We also tried a sushi roll and calamari which was really great. I can't wait to bring some friends here, it's our next stop!
(5)Meagan M.
Great food and service. The view is amazing! Will definitely be back.
(5)Dung N.
I've had lunch in the patio area and also inside the restaurant. This time they were catering at an event and I had the paella with a mussel on top! It was yummy! I like their food and I think they did some remodeling...It's been a while since I've been there.
(4)Cathleen F.
Very impressive! 2 story's with beach front view! I ordered pork chop, moist and good size portion. My husband ordered ribs that came with the most amazing French fries! I was so jealous! Great Service! I Suggest upstairs outside patio! They have done a great job with renovations! Thumbs up!
(4)Kira M.
Been here twice now (once for lunch, once for dinner). Food is excellent, staff is friendly and accommodating even when it's busy, and the prices are fair. I like this restaurant because it's very "San Diego", high class in a laid back establishment. And right on the water with beautiful views of the ocean! Beware the parking though- valet only.
(5)Steve C.
I don't give many five stars, but this place has it all. You can't beat the view of the ocean especially from upstairs. The food and service are great. You can see why Beach House went down; being next door to the Grill was too much. If you want to take someone from out of the area to dinner and be on the ocean this is the spot to consider.
(5)Ashley P.
I used to LOVE this place! Since they've moved the serve is now horrible and the food has gone down hill. So sad. The restaurant is beautiful but the food and service has gone to the waste side. :( Our waiter also showed us one bill and charged us another. (much higher) when he was asked about it, he answered so fast and blamed it on the computer. He totally knew about the error but wasn't going to say anything if we hadn't noticed. No cool.
(1)Christina M.
one of my favorite places to go and unwind on the weekends (or after a crazy day at work) with amazing food and an incredible view. This last time i was there we started off with the Crab Cakes which were sooooooo delcious -- the kiwi salsa tasted amazing with the passion fruit butter when paired with the crab. I had the salmon, that was cooked to perfection, and the black truffle gnocchi was a great salty touch to the sweet maple butternut squash. my boyfriend had the sesame-crusted Ahi tuna (off of the servers recommendation) and he devoured it within seconds of receiving it. We (of course) had to finish the meal with dessert - the apple pie & bread pudding were beyond scrumptious! while the restaurant is a little loud, you MUST come here ... you will not be disappointed! it's a great place for a romantic date or a night out with friends ... trust me, you wanna come eat here :)
(4)Brianna B.
The only, ONLY bad thing I've ever found about this place is the wait time. And that's on weekends where people figure out what they've been missing in their life: pacific coast grill. This place is amazing. Gorgeous views, everyone who works there is so friendly and helpful and the food is fantastic. Definitely go for the lobster tacos, or the paella! Do NOT miss this place if you are in the area!
(5)Muhalab A.
The parking guys are horrible!
(1)Jonathan G.
I come down to the Four Seasons at Aviara a few times a year. This trip my daughter and I came down to go to Sea World, and a little spa. We went to Pacific Coast Grill, this place is perfect when you think about having a dinner on the ocean. It is just perfect. The waiters are extremely attentive and the hostesses were terrific. We sat outside on the patio at sunset and drank a Shirley Temple (her) and a Belvedre straight up (me). We ordered Bones in a Bag to start, it is great combination of ribs and fries in a paper bag, get this, it was delicious. Then we ordered some crab cakes, and got a trio on a lovely plate presentation. We ended with a filet for her, and the lobster tacos for me. We took home a "doggy bag", just too much food for us, but it was wonderful. I have been here 3 or 4 times and I have NEVER been disappointed at all, the valet parking is very easy and inexpensive. The staff, from everyone we came in contact was just wonderful and friendly. We will return in a month or two, I cannot recommend this enough. I like it better than Georges at the Cove, Gladstones in LA, and even one of my favorites Paradise Cove in Malibu...I like Pacific Coast Grill for the food the location (you can walk on the beach) and the parking. Thanks everyone for a wonderful time.....
(5)Kim M.
The small thing that left a terrible lasting impression is that there are no changing tables in the restroom. I have a 10 week old daughter and was so excited to get dressed up and go out to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were having a wonderful time, everything was perfect. But when I went to change my daughter's diaper I had to kneel on the bathroom floor in my pretty new dress. It just felt really degrading and gross and ruined the rest of the evening for me. It's not hard to stick a changing table on the wall. What gives???
(3)Alicia D.
First time at PCG . Food is delicious and the coconut cheesecake is the best I've ever had..YUM!
(5)Meredith M.
This venue was amazing. We sat on the second floor deck. It was night time but they had the beach lit up. It was just amazing to be able to sit seaside and listen to the waves as we dined. As for the food, I had the seabass and it was delightful! The sauce was light and crisp and the bed of greens were an amazing contrast for the fish. Overall it was wonderful. Will definitely have to go back when in town again!
(5)Kelly D.
Went for lunch with a girlfriend. The food - great options - I had the seafood cobb and she had a burger with truffle fries. It was really good. The atmosphere - excellent - right next to the water on the beach. A super nice casual feel. The wine - good options, but not spectacular. However, this seems like a more casual place so it wasn't expected. The service - excellent. Very friendly, attentive and happy. The only downside is the parking. There didn't seem to be too much so I think that the majority of the folks valet. It's $4 which isn't bad but you just need to be aware that you'll likely be using the valet.
(4)Kenneth B.
Their rolls are terrible. They wreck the fish, but I am not sure if it is good fish. Too many sauces smother the rolls and it is an insult to call it sushi. The fish entrees are smothered with crap, as well. The food is made for tourists that don't know the difference between great food and crap. I would never go there for the food. Only the view, and just order a drink. What a waste of a location.
(1)Michael B.
On vaca w/the in-laws. Pro's: scenic view and nice, spacious room. Good cocktails and reasonable wine list (I always get the house ____ when dining out). Seafood. Con's:
(3)Rabee M.
Lovely restaurant, view and great service. We have been here 4 times and two out of the 4 times, my husband's "rare" steak has come out literally well done. They have taken it back both times and made it right but it's awkward watching everyone eat while your dinner is remade.
(3)Wendy R.
Fantastic location and view! Great food!
(5)Paige S.
The view was fantastic and the food was outstanding. The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 is because we made a reservation several days in advance, and when we got there, we still had to wait one hour before we were seated.
(4)Scott B.
We are locals (wife and me) and came here for lunch, I had been here before with view hungry clients and it was OK, but this time I thought I would review it. Ordered crab guacamole as an appetizer, and were perplexed as to why it does not come with salsa as well. Who serves guac with no salsa? Wife had the lobster tacos, and we both decided that this is not a very well thought out dish. The filling comes in a bowl with a broth, like soup, so it is basically serve yourself. Problem is, that the filling is too watery and it breaks the tortillas straight away. The whole thing comes in a large bowl, with a little bowl of taco broth in the middle, and it is just way too cumbersome and sloppy. The description on the menu does not mention how this dish is served either. No one wants to battle with their meal when they are trying to relax. We talked about this dish being eliminated on Masterchef, it's that bad. Hamburger was pretty good. The best thing on either of our plates were the fries that came with my burger. Only three stars here, and only because of the view, which is nice. It's a shame that this place falls in the same category as the Beach House, which is "go for the view and not the food".
(3)Matt M.
Filet was good but I would say the best thing is the view. The menu had a lot of stuff I want to try. I would recommend it
(4)Karina G.
Such a great place for a special occasion and/or taking out of towners. Try to schedule dinner during sundown as the sun is hitting the horizon. Even if I live close by I felt as if I was on a vacation. The food is great. Had the Sea bass special -------so good. They also have unique drinks.
(4)Sarah R.
I love this place! Excellent food, service, and the view is heavenly. I really don't have one negative thing to say about PCG. The crusted ahi with coconut rice is to die for. If I could afford to eat here everyday, I would!!
(5)Maria A.
The new location for Pacific Coast Grill is great, right on the beach, beautiful sunset views and a nice, open layout. It's a pricey dinner spot, but the breathtaking views make it a nice option to bring out of town guests or have a nice date night. The food was really incredible! The scallops were probably some of the best I've ever had, and the bed of fingerling potatoes, corn, etc. in a balsamic reduction is really heavenly. I forget what the rest of our party ordered, I think seafood for the most part, and everyone was equally impressed with their entrees. So why the 3 star review? We had a so-so waitress, which would have been fine, but when we ordered our food she asked us if we would like soup or salad, in a way that made it sound like it was included. I was surprised, to the extent that I made a comment to the others at my table while she was still there taking our order. It's rare to find a restaurant where they include a salad/soup with your entree. Everyone in our party was under the same impression. When our check arrived and we saw an extra $40 for 3 salads, we were shocked. This restaurant is expensive enough, so for the waitstaff to employ a sneaky tactic to try to up the bill without the customer knowing it is really tacky in my opinion. I ended up making a comment and in the end they took the charge for one of the salads off the bill, but when you're spending $200 on dinner for 3, you don't expect this kind of hassle at the end of the evening. Again, the food was outstanding, but because of the whole experience I'm not certain that we will return.
(3)Alexa M.
This place has a GREAT view. Literally right on the water. I went here for a work dinner, the food was good. However, my boyfriend got food poising and was sick for 3 days. But they gave us a gift card and never told us what was wrong with the food.
(2)Yavuz Ç.
Excellent ocean view if thats what.you are looking for. Spectacular sunset view if.you catch a table on the terrace. Food is also unique and delicious. Try paella.
(5)P C.
I love coming here with my dog; there's just no better place to enjoy great food and beautiful weather where my "furbaby" is welcome too, and I will keep coming here for that alone. The patio is amazing - it's literally on the beach. Friends from out of town love it too; everything about PCG is quintessential San Diego. The patio alone deserves a 5.
(5)Jess M.
Request Joshua if you go in, he provides amazing service and will make your experience overall a very pleasurable one. Very attentive! Thanks Joshua!
(5)Thea P.
Had a great dinner here recently. The food was wonderful-had the Sea Bass which was served on a bed of mashed potatoes and lots of veggies-which I love. My husband had the filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly. Our friends had the Mahi Mahi and the stir fry which they also claimed to be delicious! Finish with a warm apple crisp and the nite was complete. Only complaint was the waiter was a little overly attentive so we felt rushed. Next time-and there will be a next time=we will ask him to slow it down a bit so we can enjoy the great sunset experience.
(4)Mike R.
I am at PCG for a business lunch, Family dinner or a Sunday brunch at least 3 to 4 times a month. Sometimes more. No matter when, the management and staff are always professional, welcoming and pleasant. The food is absolutely perfect! The view is amazing which is why I've celebrated my wedding anniversary at PCG two back to back years. I highly recommend PCG. You will love the ambiance and more than anything the food! Thank you Jeff and Team for always taking care of our family.
(5)Caroline N.
Excellent lunch outside on the patio. Had the lobster and shrimp bisque....best I have ever had. Partner had the fish & chips and pronounced them excellent also. Finished with the custard dessert...this is excellent... In fact better than the description they have...we shared it. The whole experience seaside and excellent food just made our day!!!
(5)Lauren B.
Fabulous view when on the patio at sunset. Food is delicious. The greeter was a little rushed - she dropped all 4 menus on the corner of a table and bailed. I mentioned our birthday in the Open Table reservation, but it was never mentioned when we checked in. We started with the Thai Basil martini and Berry vodka drinks. Our server skipped our bread service. Bummer because I could smell it at other tables. Our starter course was a roll. Yum. I had the scallop dish and a Sauv Blanc. Yum. Dessert was the Granny Smith Apple Pie dish. Yum. But, again, nothing special done for the birthday girl at the table. Food and view was excellent. Service lacked.
(3)Dan M.
I've been waiting for who knows how long for this prime location to finally re-open. I had some out-of-town coworkers in town and could have played it safe with one of the other beachfront restauants next door, but decided to take a risk and try out this place. We were all happy with the menu and interesting cocktails. My buddies tried the cucumber jalapeno margarita and I had the perfect margarita - both were quite good. We all tried something different and everyone seemed to enjoy their meal from oysters to lobster chowder to pork loins and salmon. I tried the turkey meatloaf and was quite happy with the portion, taste and two side veggies. We enjoyed the Bag of bones appetizer as a very good starter. This restaurant decor is very nice with the great views of the sand and ocean. The only thing missing at this place is a happy hour menu to rival the places nearby that offer early dining discounts in the bar.
(4)Josh E.
PACIFIC COAST GRILL STEAKS - HALLOWED BE THY NAME AND MARINADE. X )~~ I've been on 5 continents, and the steak I had here was the best one I've ever had. Bar none by a long shot. I dearly wish I could give this place 10 stars, but clearly no one at yelp has eaten at this place, otherwise they'd allow it. I also *highly* recommend the bread pudding. I had to ask for a broom and dustpan to collect my marbles after it BLEW MY MIND, and a sponge to clean up the mess after my face was MELTED ; ) Seriously, the steak and the bread pudding were that great. Anyone who didn't give this place 5 stars either can't taste food, or needs major therapy/medications - because they're obviously crazy. It's not about "recommending" this place, it's whether or not you're LUCKY enough to eat here one day.
(5)Cheryl H.
No fish in the fish tacos... This may be a restaurant where you need to polygraph the waiter. There was no mahi in the mahi tacos even though promised. The fish was cleverly disguised as tomatoes. Waiter Steve was MIA and neither he nor Philip the manager made any effort to correct once we mentioned it. Service was incredibly slow and restaurant was noisy. Had a great lunch here but would give second thoughts to another dinner.
(2)Marla H.
Ordered the Ahi Salad-DELISH! Great views. Only negative-had a reservation, but still had to wait 15 min for table.
(4)Carl K.
My wife and I really enjoy going out on the weekend and sitting outside on the upper patio that is fully covered. It has a great view and the food has always been good. It is nice to have good food and great views
(4)Joy C.
Beautiful view overlooking the ocean. Valet parking. Great food and drink menu. Ample seating with space upstairs and main floor. It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)Rafael P.
Its on the beach which is nice. Lobster and Shrimp Chowder ($9) had way to much flour and hardly any shrimp or lobster, pretty bland actually. Then I had the Sunset Roll which was a poor excuse for a sushi roll, they put a sliver of Ahi poke and charge $16. For that much money and being on the beach I expected much, much more. They should have stayed in Solana, typical overpriced tourist trap restaurant. My parents who I took to lunch were less than impressed as well.
(1)Michelle A.
This restaurant has the best fresh sophisticated dishes and amazing view! Ahi sliders rock! Ahi poke tacos are so fresh and flavorful and the clam chowder is perfect! Kinda pricey but worth it since the food is so good and the view is beyond beautiful!! Highly recommend
(5)Debra S.
Food was fresh and tasty. Have the Ahi tacos! The view was incredible, suggest siting on the patio outside. Would go there again next time I am in San Diego.
(4)Jessica S.
The food here is great and the views are amazing but it's just a little too pretentious for Cardiff. I don't know why I don't really like the vibe but I just don't for some reason. I was so excited when they opened and really wish I loved it since its only a block from where I live but am slightly disappointed. I think they need music, even just on low, and Happy Hour to make it appear friendlier. I understand that they don't need to have Happy hour prices to attract people here but I think its good business practice for the long term when the novelty of this restaurant wears out.
(4)Sandra R.
I don't mind paying for a good meal, but this was second rate at best. The appetizer of muscles was delicious. Main courses were soooo disappointing. You must think your guests have no discernment when it comes to taste & quality of food. My supposedly pan seared sea bass on a bed of mashed potatoes was anything but tasty! It was simply a mass of tasteless mush! My brother in law had ribs which he gave me to taste - really commercial and old tasting. My sons girlfriend had a medley of seafood which tasted equally old. My sons potato fries looked like a soggy grease pit & so attractive as they were practically black - inedible. I suppose the biggest complaint is that the food was bland and not fresh tasting. Not sure what your problem is but we will not be returning or recommending your establishment to anyone we know.
(1)Abbie H.
I've been to PCG a couple of times for drinks and apps, and this second time made me like it more. We had a large party for a friend's birthday and they accommodated us easily, even though our party kept growing. We had lots of drinks, sushi, quesadillas (I'm lactose intolerant so didn't eat those), truffle oil french fries, and calamari. The food was really good, especially the sushi with jalapenos on top! Drinks were a bit weak, in my opinion, especially for the price. Location is wonderful, with ocean views. You're nearly forced into valet parking for $4, which is a pet peeve of mine, but I understand it's because parking is limited along that stretch. Friendly and fast service make it a solid experience.
(4)Masako Y.
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego county! The food has always been really good (even at the old location in Solana Beach), but now, with the new location, it's gorgeous, relaxing, delicious and the people/service is wonderful. This past weekend, I had a scary incident and dropped my ring down the sink... I was so afraid it was gone forever! It was a crowded night for dinner, but the manager quickly got some hangers, the head chef (Tory), who is e most skilled at fishing our rings came to my aid. Within 3 minutes, ring recovered!!! The staff is wonderful! And, Tory is the man!!! Not only did he cook a magnificent meal (don't miss the Sea Bass dinner), but he is CRAZY mad skills with a hanger! Love, love, love PCG!
(5)Chris F.
Parking is limited here. Plan on valet. It's right on the beach, so views are amazing. Too bad the food wasn't. It wasn't bad either, just nothing stand out... overpriced because of location.
(2)Ashley T.
Five star view and ambiance, but the food certainly wasn't noteworthy. I feel like it's difficult to go wrong with fish tacos, especially on the California Coast, but Pacific Coast Grill's fish tacos were far from spectacular. I'd certainly come back for drinks and appetizers, but would not return for a full meal.
(3)Diane F.
The location is spectacular, but the noise level is insulting. I was just there for a friend's birthday lunch. We sat at a booth and it was so noisy no one could hear anything. I had a forgettable cobb salad - or at least I hope I forget it! I gave PCG a poor review on my last visit and here is an update. This place is AWFUL.
(1)Jayson B.
The food and view was outstanding. I would recommend eating there and trying the seared ahi tuna.
(5)Tammy M.
Amazing view and Ahi Salad
(4)Sara B.
Just had my bday dinner, with friends here. Amazing service. Awesome food. Everything tastes excellent. To die for views, of the beach & ocean!!!!!!!
(5)Paul R.
I had the pleasure of having lunch at the PCG this week. After arriving from frosty Austin my beach view patio table was perfect to enjoy the beautiful day. My lunch of chowdah (sic) and fish tacos was perfect and my iced tea was promptly replenished. My only ding is that I was not informed of the lunch specials. I overheard the servers describing the specials while I was devouring my tacos, and they sounded great. This is a great locale and I will return on my next visit.
(3)The Baja M.
2 stars for food 5 stars for service, ambiance, decor, sunset views I like food! First off I don't mind paying $$ for a good meal. This place fails big time on food. Everything was very average. Blackberry margarita tasty but weak. Bread, odd! Salads, weak! Entrees even worse. Seared ahi not bad but paired with lame flavors and sides. Mahi Mahi average but again paired with odd flavors. Make no mistake, I appreciate innovation and creativeness in the kitchen but this place fails miserably.
(2)Ken W.
The valet parking is convenient and affordable (it was $4 the evening I went), but if you don't want to valet, you're probably going to take a hike and maybe have to cross PCH to get there, just so you know. Also - make a reservation. Even during the week, this place is busy. I had a table reserved, but the bar seemed cozy and fun. Since this was a first date, I opted for the bar. Our server was pleasant, but inept. She took my date's drink order then started to walk away. Uh, excuse me? I'm drinking AND the more likely to pick up the tab (and the tip)! Hello! I had to hunt her down to get another round of drinks and food orders. At least she wasn't annoying us every two minutes. The biggest disappointment was that there is no outdoor seating and the windows are permanently closed. It was warm (bordering on hot) inside. They were trying to figure out how to get some a/c going. With the friggin' beach outside!?! It is one gorgeous view, though. Nice place. Nice people. I thought the prices were on the high end of what I got. Next time I'll opt for something in La Jolla or Del Mar with outdoor seating to go with my overpriced food and booze.
(3)Daniel C.
I've eaten here twice and both times I've been blown away. The bartenders are excellent. They make the best Sidecar I've ever had, and one of the better Manhattans I've had. This last time we ordered a coconut shrimp roll for an appetizer and it was fantastic. I had the paella (again), my mom had some sort of lobster pasta, and my wife had the Mahi (I believe). All of the food was outstanding. The view is second to none, particularly if you are seated on the balcony upstairs. I can't wait for my next opportunity to eat here.
(5)Ju L.
I had a magical experience during Sunday brunch yesterday. I was a bit perturbed having to valet park, but it's only $4, and given the proximity to the beach and lack of street parking, I was glad for the option (and they take credit cards, so no cash needed!). I was going to say my table had a fantastic view of the beach and water, but I think every table in the restaurant has that view, thanks to their huge windows. It was a gorgeous sight. Our waiter was sweet, attentive, and cheerful. He knew the menu and made fun jokes with my friend's son. He was a real charmer. I had to skip drinks, but the food was amazing. I usually don't have a hard time zeroing in on what I want, but everything sounded great, and after looking at the plates around me, even things that didn't sound great, looked delicious. I finally decided on the wild mushroom omelet with brie and port sauce. It came with breakfast potatoes and toast. Everything was fantastic. The potatoes were a little bland, but I much prefer that to over-salted potatoes, which they usually are at other places. And they came with a tangy, spicy sauce to spice them up. The omelet was perfectly cooked - fluffy and soft. There were mushrooms for days. No skimping. And the port sauce was a lovely compliment. I inhaled it all. My friend got the PCG sushi roll. I didn't try it, but it smelled amazing. I would definitely order it another time. And she also had the ahi salad. Again, I didn't try it, but she was in love with it. A gorgeous view, friendly staff, and delicious food. What's not to love? I really have no negatives to speak of. My friend and I left with plans to come back for brunch with our husbands another time.
(5)Michael S.
My wife and I think of "View Restaurants" as being like Jennifer Aniston movies - we go, but we don't expect they'll be very good. In our opinion, rarely does the food at a view restaurant match the perfection of the setting. I really wanted Pacific Coast Grill to be an exception - I really wanted to love it. I recall liking the food a lot at its prior location. The new location is beautiful, the building was just redone, and even though it was dark when I arrived they have bright lights trained on the sand and breaking waves. I was there for a work dinner, so with a group of +/- 10 I had the enviable opportunity to try many dishes. Pacific Coast Grill is a fave of a colleague of mine whose opinion on food I respect a lot, and I liked the price point (north of an everyday restaurant but south of a fancy gourmet dining experience). The first bites were great. The shrimp dumplings were fantastic, the sushi rolls were good too (and I'm not a big sushi roll guy), and the spicy mayo with the calamari was well-executed, even though I feel like I've had the same dipping sauce many times before. That's where it started to go downhill a bit for me. My spicy Caesar salad was good but I'm not going to rave on Yelp about a Caesar salad. After reading a bunch of reviews and requesting a recommendation from a friend, for my entree I ordered the lobster tacos. They were fine, but again, unspectacular. The tortillas were dry and I thought the lobster concoction was surprisingly bland and overcooked. I also didn't know how to eat them. The tortillas were folded for a nice presentation, but it was awkward at our crowded table to open them up, scoop up beans and spoonfuls of the lobster stew, and then engineer how to eat them from there. I tried to make mini burritos but those fell apart, and then I tried putting the crumbling tacos on my bread plate to use my knife and fork. Ultimately I gave up on the tortillas and forked out the lobster chunks before putting the dish aside. After the meal I asked my colleague across the table what he thought because he had the lobster tacos as well. He was equally unimpressed. Others at the table raved about the rib eye, ribs, sea bass and lobster tail. My review might have been totally different had I ordered a different entree. Oh well, next time. Overall, I thought Pacific Coast Grill was fine, but less exceptional than I hoped.
(3)John E.
Great service and great view... I love the whole valet situation...those guys/girls run hard Awesome service, very good bread service and Caesar salad... You can always tell a good restaurant both those two... The lobster tacos are okay on their lunch menu, and the sea bass is a bit old fashion, but the sandwiches are GREAT... I have had ever slider/ sandwich except the ahi and quinoa The Filet Sliders are the best, the short rib sliders are on the bottom... Not a fan of truffle so I never had the fries with the truffle oil, but they have an awesome chili lime mayo for the lobster crab slider
(4)Celeste G.
We wanted good seafood and got it! The view was amazing and the food was equally amazing.
(5)Todd W.
Besides the marine layer and the desert this place was great. I started out with the shrimp dumplings, they were great. The sauce had a great buttery pop to it. Then I shared a salad that had a wonderful dressing. For my entree I had the sea bass it was fantastic. I ordered desert but it was kinda a bust. Our server Jamie was great.
(4)Heather A.
Great place to grab lunch with friends. Pacific Coast Grill was recommended to me by a friend, and I was not disappointed. We were a large party, but they still made room for us on the patio and accommodated two extra people to our reservation. Service was great and waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered great suggestions. I had the surf and turf burger, it was delicious. Three of the girls had the ahi sliders and loved them (make sure to be specific if you like the ahi well done). We also ordered the bloody and a buddy, had never seen this before, but the bloody mary comes with a bud light - easily sold on this. Parking is $4 valet right in the front, so make sure you bring cash for that.
(5)Lana L.
Disappointing anniversary dinner. Went here based on the reviews and was a big let down from the food to the service. Ordered the Sea Bass and was told they were out of it. Service was ok but nothing special. Food is ok. Extremely loud inside and didn't help that some lady at the table next to us was cackling away.
(2)Lucy M.
Went here last Saturday at 4PM. Hostess said they were between lunch and dinner service and if we gave her our name, she could seat us at 4:30. We did and headed for the bar. Had some sushi and wine. At 4:35 I went back to the hostess to ask about seating us. She said she had 300 people to seat and there was no way she could seat us. OK so why did you ask our name in the first place and tell us we would have a table and were all 300 people coming in at 4:35? We will not be returning. Very poor communication at the front door. By the way, Todd the bartender was great!
(1)Judey D.
Amazing location, nice decor, great valet that works hard. Food was okay and the portions were pretty large (especially for lunch). None of us could finish our entrees, but that was really our own fault for ordering appetizers for the table. Calamari was very good.
(3)Thuy C.
The view is breathtaking!!! That alone is worth the dining experience and $! The food is pretty great too as well as drinks! It can get costly because you will get carried away by just staring at the beautiful water and sunset!
(4)Sheen F.
We enjoyed our dinner here before a night at the Belly Up Tavern. On their website, the Belly Up shows this place as being in the same neighborhood - not even close - it's about 3 miles down Coast Hwy. In any case, it was no big deal. The service is a bit casual and the food in general is slightly above average. However, the one dish that blew me away was the Paella. It seems to be a dish that so many places don't do well, but this one was the best I've ever had. The view is spectacular even at night due to the spotlights shining out into the surf. We'd like to go back and try the brunch, which we've heard is good.
(3)Shannon D.
After reading the multiple mixed reviews from other Yelpers, I was a little nervous that PCG wouldn't pull through for my husbands birthday dinner. We've never been here before, but I was determined based on it's location and having made sunset-time reservations, that we were going anyways! Boy was I impressed! If you plan on parking at the restaurant, you must valet. It's only $4, nbd. They may need to move your car to an off-site lot, so getting your car back could take up to 10 minutes, but those boys are busy. The valet attendants were courteous, professional, and as quick as they can be - no lollygagging around. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, I like the tiled floor. It's very beach themed and the attire is beach casual/beach dressy. We sat right next to the window and got to enjoy the beautiful setting. All of the staff were very friendly and we received excellent service. Here's the best part: FOOD! We ordered the Shrimp Dumplings ($12 for 5 dumplings) served in a port wine sauce. The sauce itself was sweet and complemented the savory-ness of the shrimp dumpling so well. I am not a seafood eater, but those dumplings in that sauce were amazing! My husband kept dipping his bread it the remaining sauce. Oh, and that bread is soo good too! I want to say it has rosemary or some other herb in it, and it's served with an herb-infused (dill?) butter. My husband ordered the Sesame-crusted Ahi and it was really good. He said he could tell the fish was just caught and was perfectly cooked. Honestly it looked like a piece of art with all of the black and white sesame seed coating. I ordered the Filet Mignon in a peppercorn sauce. I ordered the steak medium, and although it was cooked more to medium-well, the texture was amazing - it melted in my mouth and was probably the most tender steak I've had. The peppercorn sauce pleased as well :) Another bonus: since it was my husbands birthday they brought us out a piece of their White Chocolate Bread Pudding. (I say us, but they really brought it out for him.) It's served with a caramel sauce, fresh berries, and some vanilla ice cream. The chef who made that deserves some sort of award because it was DELICIOUS! Words can't describe the flavors going on there...words wouldn't do it justice. I will go back just for that. Order it, you must. Drinks: husband ordered a dirty martini and I ordered their "Derby" which contained Whiskey and Grand Marnier. It was very good. Very good. For a dinner for two (2 cocktails, 1 shared appetizer, and 2 entrees) expect to spend $100 at minimum. It's well worth it and I plan on bringing visiting family members here soon. At the end of the night my husband and I couldn't think of one bad thing to say about PCG; we had a great dinner and can't wait to return!
(5)Scott A.
1st time to PCG... We received a seat right by the beach and what an amazing view! The service was wonderful (wish I could remember our gentleman's name).. The entire menu looks delicious. I had the baked oyster app as my dinner and my wife had the mahi mhai coconut crusted. Fantastic place! They also have a wonderful private room that seats 12-15 - great business dinner venue.
(5)Serhat P.
The smeared ahi dish was great. Really nice view, quick and delicious food. I will be back for sure...
(5)Ellen M.
You will find that the reviews for this restaurant run the gamut from "horrible" to "amazing." The reason is, this restaurant will provide a vastly different experience depending upon the luck of where you end up sitting, what you order, and who serves you. Bottom line: this restaurant is not dependable and therefore you cannot plan on having a good dining experience here. Reserve a special occasion AT YOUR PERIL. We had a very special visitor in town - first visit to San Diego. We could have chosen Poseidon, Jakes, Pacifica, etc. I emailed this restaurant's manager well in advance and explained that we would be a party of SIX and it was very important to get an outdoor table at 5:30 on a Sunday. Could he email me back if this was not possible? That way, we could have tried to find another restaurant. No response whatsoever. I reserved through Open Table and repeated the request. No response. Shame on us, we took our chances anyway. Arrived to a overly full and loud restaurant. We were seated indoors, as far from the windows as possible, with layers of loud people between us and the view. Plus, we were seated at a tight booth clearly most suitable for four people - we could barely move our arms. The tables are bare, cheap wood. It was like a Denny's. We asked to be moved to a table for six. It was not possible. We should have left. Again, shame on us. Repeated requests for extra bread went unnoticed. A steak was badly overcooked. No way is the lobster tail fresh - it's rather flavorless, which is hard for lobster. Dinner took a LOOONG time to arrive. The booth was ugly, crowded and hot. We could not wait to leave. I have eaten here before during winter, weekday lunch. The outdoor patio is lovely under those circumstances. But how do you know in advance what the place will be like? As you can tell from other reviews, this restaurant does not communicate and no one there will be honest enough with you to steer you away from this place even if you explain IN ADVANCE that you have a special occasion that demands a special experience. Four stars for my prior lunch. Zero stars for our "special" dinner. If you dare to try this place, hopefully you will get the good and not the bad. But you can't count on it, and that's why it's best to avoid.
(2)